MODULE 1
Assist in any changes needed to the room, requests
TOUR GUIDING AS PROFESSION
Tour Guide
In the travel industry, the term tour guide has a precise
meaning. They are also known as the front liners. A tour
guide is a person who takes tourists on a sightseeing tour on
a limited and specified duration of time.
To define tour guide one will have to consider the amount of
work he is expected to perform under the scope of a tour
guide’s role which is varied and in accordance with the
provisions of tourist services being requested (Guides Inc.,
1980).
An excellent tour guide has the assurance and tact of a
diplomat, the knowledge of a scholar, the performance of an
entertainer, and the organizational abilities of a time
management expert (Mancini, 2001).
A person trained, licensed and accredited to conduct a tour
for a fee (Department of Tourism).
TOUR GUIDE MUST HAVE ASSETS
1. Must be able to present and deliver the information
clearly and enjoyably, with the skills of an entertainer.
2. Must have the ability to convey factual and interesting
data with the skills of a lecturer, speaker and entertainer
with humor, wits and energy.
Do you want to be a tour guide?
1. Be ready to face people.
2. You will have to talk in front of listening guests.
3. Have enough courage to answer questions.
4. Train to stand in front not to get distracted by the
moving vehicle while talking with the guests and
delivering commentaries.
5. Be able to project good values, ethics, and
professionalism on tour.
6. Be prepared to any decision-making as the needs
arises.
7. Speak with the heart and connect with the guests.
8. Perform the task according to the situation which
can be beyond the tour guiding work.
THE COURIER
In some countries, the tour guide becomes the COURIER with
these tasks to perform which are not part of the tour guiding
work, but applicable for those who are permanently
employed with a tour/travel agency.
1. Welcoming tour groups at the point of entry or
gateway (airport, seaport, bus terminal) and
dispatching them.
2. Collecting baggage transfers.
3. Accompanying group in transit and ensuring safe
arrival and departure to onward destinations.
4. Doing airport assistance through customs (with
proper permission from proper authorities).
5. Assist in check-in and check-out of the guests.
6. Ensure the guests to have a comfortable stay in the
accommodation, good and convenient transport,
good meals and services, etc.
7.
on facilities, meals, etc.
THE GUIDE-LECTURER
Trends and updates about tourism shape up the industry
including the type of tourists, motivation to travel, and needs
and wants when visiting a place. All these are very important
consideration that will affect the service orientation of a tour
guide. What have been taught at school are basic theories
and principles, but the actual scenarios in the workplace vary
accordingly. Therefore, the tour guide should not stop
learning. One of the means to support an already acquired
educational attainment is to enter the teaching profession,
continue graduate studies. It’ s not only to have a Master’s
Degree or a PhD, but to level up in terms of academic
requirements of an ordinary tour guide.
THE TOUR MANAGER
This term are used to describe those who are generally
employed to carry out courier and administrative tasks while
accompanying a group on a extended tour of several days,
probably over a considerable distance, involving a number of
destinations. Tour guiding comes in to picture while vising a
famous attraction. But overall, it is being a tour manager that
is given emphasis including meeting with prospective clients,
attending local and international sales missions.
THE ESCORT/HOSTESSES
This task covers the work of a service provider in a reception,
gathering, special events such as product launching, soft
opening of hotel, resort. Recreational facility, and otter
celebrations. This also include being assigned at the tour desk
of an international APEC Leaders meeting, tourism fora, travel
expositions, etc. In some countries, escorts are also tour
leaders of a group of tourist normally joining a cruise tour.
TYPES OF TOUR
1. Culinary Tour – A professionally guided tour of the
local and authentic food of destinations that may
include food preparation, food tasting, and hands-on
demonstrations and workshops.
2. Daily Run Tour – Tour conducted on a regular basis.
3. Eco-Tour – Focuses on ecology or preservation of the
environment. Various types of eco-tour can be
availed according to the needs of the guests that
involves both soft and hard activities like hiking,
spelunking, bird watching, kayaking, sky walking, zip
line, canyoneering, cultural immersion, and other a
lot more.
4. Farm Tour - Visiting to famous agri-farm sites that
involves actual experience of that involves picking,
harvesting, and planting of farm products and other
activities.
5. Museum Tour – A visit to a museum as the main part
of tour.
6. Other Specially Arranged Tour – Any type of tour
specifically designed for tourists based on their need
and requirement like farm tourism, spa and
wellness, agri-tourism, etc.
7. Pilgrimage Tour – Going to the places of worships,
churches, and religious statues and images are the
main attraction of the tour.
8. Private Tour – Participated by an individual, couple,
or family, which has the privacy of having their own
 schedule, specific itinerary, and private B. Food and drinks that might not suit their
transportation. digestive system.
9. Seat-in-Coach Tour - Joined by tour members, from C. Elevation for those with vertigo of fear of
different pick-up points but going to one and same height.
destination. D. Dogs that might bite.
10. Technical Tour – Participated by graduating students E. Presence of pickpockets in crowded areas.
related to their field of specialization.  Protect the reputation of tourism in the country by
11. Walking Tour – Members have to do a lot of walking making every guiding assignment a treat with
to see the different places of interests in the tour respect to the environment, wildlife, sights and
itinerary. monuments, and local customs and sensitivities.
12. War Memorial Tour – A visit to cemeteries of fallen  Act as the representative of the country and the
heroes during the war. people.

TYPES OF TOUR GUIDE BASIC PROCEDURES IN RECEIVING GUESTS

1. City Guide - Points the different highlight of a city, CHECK-IN

usually doing this on a coach, van, or any
1. Make the guests feel comfortable.
transportion service.
2. Provide basic commentary about the country, city or
2. Docent - Guides who volunteer normally for a small
area.
museum or archive for free.
3. Check with the tour leader the rooming list to know
3. Free Lance Guide - A person who is not permanently
the rooming partners, kind of accommodation paid,
connected with tour/travel agency and paid per trip.
meals request and other concerns about the group.
4. Driver Guide - Performs tour guiding while driving.
4. Collect the voucher by travel agent as proof of
5. Indigenous Guide – Usually, a member of a tribe. A
services to be provided as specified.
native of a community who has deep understanding
5. In the absence of tour coordinator, explain to the
of cultural background of the people.
guests the hotel policy for deposits through credit
6. Local Guide - A person competent enough to give
card on incidental or personal accounts.
information on a certain area or locality.
6. Show the facilities, hotel services and amenities of
7. Naturalist Guide - An expert on natural attractions
the hotel.
such as caves, lakes, rivers, mountains, etc.
7. Coordinate with the tour escort regarding
8. On-Site Guide - Conducts tour for an hour or more at
reconfirmation of onward flights, remind the guests
a specific building, place or site.
about airport taxes and terminal fees.
9. Personal or Private Guide- Service is on call basis for
8. Remind the guests of the next day’s movement
an individual or small group, exclusive tour.
according to their itinerary (time of departure,
10. Specialized Guide - Skills are highly unique and not
assembly place, duration of tour, etc.)
many of this type are available.
11. Specialist Guide - Specializes in certain field such as CHECK-OUT
arts, architecture, churches, flora and fauna,
mountains, etc. 1. Remind the group regarding the time of departure to
12. Staff Guide- Permanently connected with tour/travel avoid delay.
agency and paid per day or monthly basis. 2. Coordinate with the hotel cashier on the accounts of
13. Step-on Guide - A guide who step-on the bus to do the guests and room keys to be surrendered.
the commentary about a facility, topic or site. 3. Take charge of the baggage collection, ensure there
are complete luggage before boarding them.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TOUR GUIDE 4. Check the flight schedules, if there are any changes.
5. Remind the guests about their passports, tickets an
 Provide the guests an information which is a product
other important documents and belongings.
of research. Explain it fairly without prejudice.
6. Avoid dramatic goodbyes.
 Avoid opinionated commentaries by making
negative, and insulting remarks that will embarrass TRAINING - It is an organized activity aimed at imparting
the Philippine Government, the people, their culture information and/or instructions to improve the recipient's
and tradition. performance or to help him or her attain a required level of
 Act fairly and responsibly in all dealings with knowledge or skills and knowledge that relate to specific
colleagues, suppliers, co-workers in the tourism useful competencies.
industry.
 Act with tact and diplomacy in dealing with the The Department of Tourism conducted a training for tour
guests. guides in demand for a certain area. Some of the topics
 Never take an advantage of the ignorance of the discussed are:
guests who rely on the information you are sharing
1. Overview of the tourism industry.
with them. 2. Trends and updates in the tourism industry
 Never report for duty when intoxicated with alcohol. 3. Childwise Tourism
 Be prepared to attend on guests needs and make 4. Philippines as a destination
sure that their visit will be a good memory to keep. 5. Marketing a destination
 Ensure the safety of guests. 6. Flora and fauna
A. Warn them about the plants that might 7. History and culture
cause allergies. 8. Geography, time zones of the earth
9. Psychology of tourists
 10. Research
ACCREDITATION - A certification issued by the Department of
Tourism (DOT), that holder is recognized by the Department,
as having complied with the minimum standards in the
operation of the establishment concerned.
 R. A 7160 (Local Government Unit Code of 1991)
DOT carried the tasks of training, licensing and
accreditation of tourism establishment and personnel
including tour guides.
 R. A 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009)
''An Act Declaring a National Policy for Tourism as an
Engine of Investment, Employment, Growth and
National Development and Strengthening the DOT and
its Attached Agencies to Effectively Efficiently
Implement that Policy and Appropriating Funds
Therefore''. (Authored by Sen. Richard Gordon and
Rep. Edgardo Chato)
BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES OF ACCREDITATION WITH DOT
 Inclusion of company profile on their official website
where database related information on all accredited
establishment in the country is made available for the
consumption of foreign and local tourist and travelers.
 Entitlement to subsidized human resource
development seminars like waitering and bartending
course, tour guiding, front office management,
housekeeping , effective customer relations seminar,
and other courses.
 R.A. 9593 or National Tourism Act 2009, Endorsement
of tourism infrastructure projects to appropriate
government agencies such as BOI or TIEZA.
 MMDA MC. No. 03, S. 2011, Endorsement of
Accredited tourist land transport companies to MMDA.
 LTFRB MC No. 2005-001, Endorsement to LTFRB for
exemption from regular franchising.
 Memorandum of Agreement dated 01 Sept 2011,
Endorsement to LTFRB for the grant of Certification of
Public Conveyance (CPC).
 Entitlement to free posting of marketing collateral
materials.
 Endorsement to international and domestic airports for
issuance of access pass to qualified personnel.
 Endorsement to local and foreign tour operators.
 Endorsement of local tour operators and tour guides to
CHED ( CHED memo no. 17, S. 2012).
 Technical assistance and access to database
information on travel and tourism.
 Automatic membership with the marketing arm of the
DOT.
 Endorsement to COMELEC for exemption from liquor
ban during election periods.
 Endorsement to embassies and travel trade association
for utilization of establishment facilities and services.
 Issuance of ID cards to bona fide employees of
accredited establishment.
ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS FOR TOUR GUIDES:
 Accomplished application form from the DOT
 2 pieces 1×1 picture
 NBI clearance (local employment)
 Occupational permit from the LGU
 Certificate of training (previous year)
 Other seminars attended in relation to the tour
guiding profession
 Accreditation fee
Note: Effectivity of DOT accreditation is one year until June 30
of each year.
LICENSING - It is issued by the local government unit the
effectively of which is December 31 of each year. This is a
mandatory requirement and renewal should be done January
of every year. With grace period given by the LGU licensing
committee. A fine is imposed to those who renew after the
deadline.
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
 Accomplished application form from local
government unit
 2 pieces 1×1 picture
 Brgy. Clearance
 Police Clearance
 Health certificate from a government physician
 Accreditation certificate fro DOT
 Licensing Fee Requirements
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
 Certificates, diplomas, and related documents to
support the claim of attending secondary, tertiary,
technical education and enhancement seminars.
 At least 72 units should be earned and completed as
required.
 Foreign Language Fluency aside from English.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR TOUR GUIDES
 Enhancement seminars are important to become
updated on trends and issues happening locally and
internationally.
 More knowledgeable than the guests in terms of
information.
 Entering academic community by doing lectures as
industry experts.
 Earning graduate degrees.
PERSONALITY REQUIREMENTS
 A well-rounded personality, high moral, and ethical
standards are personality requirements of a
professional tour guide.
 Must possess a total personality with special
character traits and behavior trained to continuously
develop the skills of communication.
 Knows how to perform tasks beyond the call of duty
in a given situation.
VALUES EDUCATION
 Values formation starts at home. Parents are our
first teacher. Teachers are second parents. The
values inculcated by our parents, guardians, teachers
and grandparents plays a vital role on how we
behave.
 Positive influences that we acquired through
education and experience becomes a part of our
character as we grow, and build our beliefs, and
reflects our actions in our daily lives.
  Being a tour guide means dealing with different type
of people that requires a lot of patience and
understanding.
OTHER PERSONAL QUALITIES FOR TOUR GUIDING SERVICES
 A professional tour guide must be honest, kind and
respectful.
PEOPLE SKILLS
 People skills refers to understanding ourselves and
moderating our responses, talking effectively and
emphasizing accurately, building relationships of
trust, respect and productive interactions.
 A tour guide with excellent people skills has the
ability to entertain guests and make them feel
comfortable while on tour.
 Reasonable
 Assertiveness
 Mature
 Able to accept responsibility
 Patient and tactful
 Understanding and acceptance of different cultures
 Good organizational skills
 Excellent general knowledge of destinations and
regional touring areas
 Problem-solving skills and ability to think logically
 Excellent communication and negotiation skills
 Able to cope with the physical demands of the job

COMMUNICATION SKILLS SCOPE OF TOUR GUIDES WORK

 Language Proficiency - English-speaking country
attracts foreign tourists.
 Avoid Highfalutin Words - Avoid complex language
for effective communication.
 Get rid of Regional Accents - Acknowledge diverse
pronunciations and diction. Enhance understanding
through good listening skills.
 Use of Synonyms - Use synonyms for clarity. Stress
important keywords for better comprehension.
 Relaxed and Energetic Commentary - Conduct
commentary in an engaging manner. Tour guide's
ability to express ideas impacts tour success.
 Task Variation Based on Tour Assignment - Varied
responsibilities depending on the group
composition, profile, and nature of the tour.
 Consideration of Group Composition – Tasks are
tailored to the characteristics and needs of the
group.
 Tailoring Effort to Tour Requirements – The amount
of work is defined by the mental and physical effort
required.

TOUR GUIDE AND TOUR MANAGER PERSONALITY

 Pre-existing Industry Awareness

 Adaptability
 Subtle Problem Resolution
 Genuine Interest in people
 Entertainer and Informational
 Outgoing
 Ability to handle difficult situation and people.
 Good sense of judgement

OTHER SKILLS REQUIRED

 Leadership Skills
 Organizational Skills
 People Skills
 Decisiveness

QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE TOUR GUIDE

 Love of Country
 People -loving
 Open-mindedness
 Tactfulness
 Punctuality
 Proper decorum
 Humble
 Polite
 Honesty
 Resourcefulness
 Self-confidence
 Sense of humor
 Enthusiasm
 Sense of leadership
 Fairness in treatment
 Good health
 Good communicator
 Patience