ITM111: TOUR GUIDING
HISTORY OF TOUR GUIDING
Guiding is one of the oldest
professions in the world. There are
plenty of specific references to guides
in the annals of history, from the
Roman Empire to the Dark-Middle
Ages, throughout the Renaissance and
into the Modern Age.
ANCIENT EMPIRE ( to lead )
- 3,000 BC to 500 AD
- was slow and dangerous (because
they are prone to wild animals), but
continue to travel by land and sea
- during the era of Greek Empire,
tourism flourished
- Festivals and shows among them the
Olympic Games (oldest game in the
world) which begun in 776 B.C.,
increased
- In the Greek language, guides were
called “periegetai” (leaders around) or
“exegetai” (explainers).
Another term, “proxemos”, whose
function was to help fellow citizens in
travelling abroad
Herodotus – finest accounts of travel
during ancient times, first travel
writer.
Ilium, the country of Homer, had a
thriving tourist business
In fact, Homer’s Iliad mentioned
guides who showed the battlefields
and the shores were the Greek ships
arrived, and the site of the Trojan War
which they regarded as the “piece de
resistance”.
MIDDLE AGES / DARK AGES
( safety and security )
- between the fall of Roman Empire
and Renaissance, 500A.D. and 1508
A.D
- regarded as the dangerous time in
European History, not safe to travel
anymore
- emphasized guides’ role as safety
escorts, pathfinders, and protectors for
travelers, including pilgrims and
businessmen.
- religious pilgrimage – most
prevalent type of journey at this
time
- robbers along the way were very
common, because they have no leaders
to follow
THE RENAISSANCE AND
GRAND TOUR ( rebirth, became
educators )
- young men of the upper class
travelled from Britain on the Grand
Tour (route from England through
France, Germany, Austria,
Switzerland, to Italy)
- these travelers were for educational
and cultural purposes
- bear leader, antiquarii or cicerone –
personal tutor
- guides role become more
demanding, there’s a competition for
the best cicerone
- A cicerone was expected to be
articulate, multilingual and well-
versed in many subjects including
architecture, history, literature and
current events.
- the period of the grand tour lasts for
about 3 to 4 years during the 18th
century.
MODERN AGES
- Thomas Cook – father of Modern
Travel, He organized a rail travel from
Leicester to Loughborough England
for one shilling, in which today is cost
at USD24 cents
- England - first country to regulate
and train guides
- European guides have been widely
regarded as having the most advanced
training and the highest standards in
the world.
- The only exception is Israel which
has the world’s best trained, most
highly respected, and best paid guides.
TOUR GUIDING IN THE
PHILIPPINE SETTING
- a tourist is a tour guide’s client.
5 (five) Elements of Tour Guiding
1. Professionalism. A person must
first undergo a training program.
A license is a must to practice
this profession legally.
2. Service. Service is intangible,
perishable, and unique.
3. Interpretation. Tour guide’s
roles is to educate the tourists
about the meanings and
significance of cultural and
natural value of different
attractions.
4. Physical Element. Tour guides
combine service with the physical
elements to create the total
tourism experience for clients.
5. Character. Genuinely interested
in the destination where they
practice. They must be mature,
patient, tactful, and sensitive to
different cultures. They must also
be articulate, quick-witted,
organized, and healthy to cope
with the physical demands of the
job.
The Tourism Act of 2009 or R.A.
9593 has formulated and implemented
a national standard for the operation
and maintenance of tourism
enterprises, prescribing minimum
levels of quality and efficiency in
order to ensure that facilities and
services are maintained in accordance
with acceptable local and international
standards.
WHAT IS ACCREDITATION
AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
- understanding the tour guide
licensing system of the Philippines is a
must
- building your long-term credibility 2. Local Guides – must attend
in tourism community guiding seminars
3. Cave / Mountain / River
- present your professional image to Guides – must attend eco-
targeted customers guiding seminars
Basic requirements for an 3 (three) Levels of Tour Guides:
individual to be accredited as tour
guides are: 1. A Junior Guide - is an entry
level guide and shall be attained
1. Filipino Nationality or upon the compliance with
permanent residents DOT’s basic accreditation
2. At least 18 years old requirements.
3. No criminal records 2. A Senior Guide - shall be
4. Mentally and physically fit attained upon the compliance of
Accreditation – is a certification the following:
issued by DOT to an individual that  6 years continuous guiding
officially recognizes him/her as experience as DOT-accredited
having complied with the minimum tour guide
standards for tour guides.  Commendation from travel and
tour agencies/tourism related
Steps for application process: associations, enterprises
excluding tour guide
 attend training / seminars
associations
conducted by DOT
 At least 1 foreign language
 interested applicants must submit
other than English.
necessary documents
3. A Master Guide - is the
 followed by an assessment
highest level and shall be
 if approved, they have to pay a
awarded to a tour guide who
corresponding fee, about PHP5,
passed the following criteria:
000, for their certificates to be
 10 years continuous guiding
released
experience as DOT-accredited
The validity of this certificate is 2 tour guide.
years and it has to be periodically  Has extensive knowledge in
renewed area of guiding and field of
specialization
3 (three) Classifications and  Has consistently displayed
Training of Tour Guides in the excellence in the field of
country: expertise, earning distinction
and making an impact on
1. National or Regional Guides –
clients.
must attend regular tour guiding
seminar
 Has a broad acceptance through
either local / international
commendation / recognition
from tourism related
associations and respect from
peers in the field of expertise.

If one guide wishes to apply for a

level upgrade and have passed the
requirements, they shall undergo a
panel interview conducted by DOT
which happens every May of each
year.