 

Sources: European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations

Department of Tourism of Philippines
 Composite of industries (activities) and entities (companies)
both public and private
 Involved in the
o 1. planning & development
o 2. evaluation of destinations, products and services
o 3. management and operations (hostelry, amusement parks,
tourism information etc.)
o 4. marketing, sales & promotion of tourism products

 Caters to the needs of travelers, both foreign and domestic

 Product is not brought to the consumer;

 The tourism product is not used up, it doesn’t exhaust the country’s
natural resources;

 People-oriented;

 Labor-intensive;

 Multi-dimensional;

 Seasonal;

 Dynamic;

 Characterized by the changing ideas of its customers.

 Ministry of Tourism
 Tourism Departments within Regional and County Councils
 Tourism Departments within Local Municipalities (Primarii)
and Tourist Information Centres (Visitor Centres)
 Museums, cultural institutes, theatres
 Other public but non-governmental (NGOs - National
Association of the Tourism Agencies & Federation of
Tourism Associations, Consultancy Offices, DMOs –
Destination Management Organizations)
 Transportation companies – land, sea, air & rail

 Hotel industry – accommodation establishments

 Entertainment industry

 Travel trade – tour operator, tour guides

 Other private sector entities

  People who leave their homes
to temporarily visit a place
 They should be spending and
not earning money from the
place they visit
 Reasons can be pleasure,
meetings or seminars
 With the intention of learning
something about the place
like its history, people, culture
Please carefully observe the Structure of the Tourist Experience at the right. The Tourism
Industry should cater for these needs.
 (DEFINITION) An individual, who (either as an employee or
affiliate of a proper licensed travel & tour agency) GUIDES
tourists both foreign and domestic (by providing assistance,
information and cultural, historical and contemporary
heritage interpretation), for a fee, commission or any lawful
form of remuneration.

 Tour Guide (US), Tourist Guide (EU)

 Free Lance – not permanently connected with any travel
agency, and paid per trip.

 Staff Guide – permanently connected with a travel agency,

receives monthly salary.

 Professional vs. Amateur (as of Certificate)

 Escort („însoțitor”)– person who accompanies a group of
tourists from the point of origin to the destination, and back to
the origin. Usually handles group’s check in and check out.
 Specialist – person who specializes in a certain field such as
botany, architecture etc. or in a certain niche activity
(adventure, high mountain, glaciers/volcanos etc.)
 Private or personal - common in developing countries, where
these services may be available at a reasonable price, they
take small number of individuals on their own exclusive tour.
 Linguist /Interpreter – person who speaks fluently two or more
foreign languages.
 Local guide – a person competent enough to guide in a certain locality or
area. (community tour guide)
 National guide – a person competent enough to guide long itineraries in a
certain country.
 On site Guide - conducts tour of one or several hours at a specific building
attraction, or a limited area. The tour may be given on foot or in vehicle.
 City Guide - points out and comments on the highlights of a city, usually from
a motor coach, minibus, or van, but sometimes as part of a walking tour.
 Driver Guide - also called as “city guide”. The tour guide drives while guiding.
 Step on guide - freelance guides or specialist who come abroad motor
coaches of tour groups visiting from other regions, to give an informed
overview of the city to be toured.
 responsible for planning and organizing tours on beha!lf of tour operators
 travels to foreign countries with the tour group and are the point of contact
for the local tour guides and other suppliers
 makes sure that travel documents and visas are in place, book and check
the group into their accommodation, organize meals, settle bills
 Love of country / amour du pays
 Pleasing personality / personnalité agréable
 Must have a genuine interest in people / interet dans les gens
 Resourcefulness / Plein d-energie
 Trustworthy / Digne de confiance
 Tactfulness / Agir avec tact - diplomat
 Good sense of leadership – qualités de chef
 Good communication skills – bonnes competences de
communication
 ….
 Good health
 Punctual
 Responsible, sensible and dedicated
 Confident
 Good sense of humor
 Analytical mindset ( above-normal perception)
 Passion for research
 Provide them information and explanations about
the place honestly without prejudice;
 Ensure a factual presentation, make sure to
distinguish the truth stories, legends, traditions;
 Act fairly and reasonably in all dealings with
colleagues and co-workers;
 Always act with tact and diplomacy in dealing with
the guests
 Always report for duty healthy and positive
 Never take advantage of the ignorance of the tourists
 Never allow yourself to be used by unscrupulous
organizations who want to take advantage of the
tourists
 Usecommon sense and be honest by saying “ I don’t
know,…I will check,..”
 Protect the reputation of tourism by making every
assignment a treat, with respect to the environment,
wildlife, sights & monuments, local customs & traditions
 Act responsibly as representative of the country and the
people
 Ensure guest’s safety, warn them on:
o Food and drinks that might not suit their digestive system (allergies
to nuts, raw milk etc.)
o Elevation for those with vertigo and fear of height
o Dogs that might bite
o Presence of pickpockets in crowded areas
 Watch Rome’s tour guiding at Pantheon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toLtc8wYJP0
 Identify:
o Which specific qualities of a tour guide does he meet?

o Which specific duties and responsibilities does he follow?

 Watch your colleagues’ last year’s guiding.

 Identify:
o Which specific qualities of a tour guide does he meet?

o Which are the minuses of their presentations ?

 PRE – tour:
o Study your tour assignment

o Be aware of the composition of the group

o Review itinerary (+ stops to toilets / stores / gas station)

o Be reminded of cash advances, vouchers needed

o Know your vehicle to be used, plate number and name

of driver or coordinator.
 ON– tour:
 Be punctual
 Make sure you have complete name of guests, cash advances
and tour vouchers
 Check your transport amenities
 Meet and greet the group
 Discuss itinerary and check other concerns
 Deliver commentaries (informations and explanations)
 Announce inclusions of the tour and what to expect
 End your day/tour by thanking the guests
 Announce the next day’s itinerary/program and give instructions
 POST - Tour:
 Prepare tour guide’s report
 Submit tour report to immediately after the tour
 Accomplish financial report with receipts, vouchers and
other assignments
 Be prepared, study the destination
 Plan your spiel (speech) or commentary, it should be
structured
 Have an update on the local and global news and
environmental issues
 Intercede when necessary in the interaction with the guest
and the locals
 Be aware on the basic human behavior and attitudes
 Be ready for pertinent and impertinent questions
 In cases of having more than one guide, find some time to sit
down, discuss to synchronize information & learn from each
other
 Never tell your personal life at first meeting
 Never sell anything at first meeting unless they ask
 Be punctual at all times. Be there at least one hour before
the tour starts
 Learn map reading (!!!)
 Learn how to say NO to indecent proposals
 Always make a head count before, during and after the tour,
especially on stops
 Be practical when making judgment, think if the benefit of
the majority, Be a good decision maker
 Learn basic first aid
 Language proficiency (fluent English !)
 Use simple, easy to understand words
 Use synonyms to explain, to describe something
 Use non-verbal communication in a difficult thing or
situation (gestures, pointing etc.)
 Speak audibly, not too soft and not too loud
 Conduct your commentary in a relaxed, entertaining
manner (they came here to enjoy, remember !!)
 Ambassador of his region/country
 Front liner in the tourism industry
 Watchdog of the tour operator
 Linkbetween various suppliers and the tour
operator/guest
 Lecturer of the clients/guests/tourists
 Timekeeper (!!)
 Shepherd – looks after the well-being of the flock,
makes sure that the flock moves in unison from
one place to another without losing a single sheep.
 An attractive job in the travel industry
 Requires a lot of values and ethics
 Represents the country and the people
 Relatively good paying job (but mostly self-rewarding)
 Flexible time  – but no time limit 
 Service – oriented
 Physically demanding
 Gives a better understanding of the different cultures
 Helps develop a well-rounded personality
 Not an 8-5 job !