TEN

COMMANDMENTS OF
TOUR GUIDING

LOCAL GUIDING 8
What can you say about these photos?
What can you say about these photos?
What can you say about these photos?
1. ALWAYS STICK TO THE ITINERARY

This may seem obvious, but still it is important. People

have paid for certain things and expect to see/experience
them. An itinerary is a kind of contract between passenger
and the operator and the guide should not deviate from it
for personal glory or greed. If as often happens you
cannot get to one cathedral or castle because of closure
or circumstance, get to another instead.
2. APOLOGIZE RATHER THAN
EXPLAIN
If things go wrong – and they will – a simple apology is
far better than a convoluted explanation, which ends up
sounding liking an unconvincing excuse. Admitting that
things have gone wrong and acknowledging peoples’
disappointment over a poor hotel/meal/visit is the first
step to rectifying the problem and winning back
credibility. Explainations can come later.
3. SUPPORT YOUR DRIVER

The most important relationship on tour is

between driver and guide and they should be
seen to be getting along – even if they hate
each other. People soon pick up on tension –
and they usually side with the driver. So
support him or her in public.
4. TALK ABOUT “US” NOT “THEM”
WHEN REFERRING TO THE TOUR
OPERATOR

Otherwise people will think you are just

someone who tells funny stories but has
no clout when it counts. “We at ABC
TraveL” rather than “those idiots in the
office” sounds so much better.
5. ALWAYS BE ON TIME

Always remember 3 Ps – PROMT,

PLEASANT, and PRESENTABLE – no
matter how early you wake up. You
can have lie-in in the slack periods.
6. GEOGRAPHY IS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN HISTORY

You may know all about the history of

Puerto Princesa but you also need to
know where your location is especially
when you have fifty people behind you
who have no idea where you are.
7. YOU ALWAYS LOSE THE
ARGUMENT
Even if people are being unreasonable, they are still
paying your mortage, so never try to prove them wrong
and make them feel small. Say sorry, accept the
criticism and move on. In the long run, a disgruntled
tourist can be your worst enemy. One whose hurt has
been acknowledged can turned out to be your
bestfriend.
8. TELLING JOKES IS NOT THE
SAME AS HAVING FUN

My idea of Sana All is a non-stop stand up. You

do not need to make jokes to hold peoples’
attention but, if you go through a two week or
two hour tour and no-one smiles during that
time, you might need to lighten up a bit or
consider a new career.
9. WHAT OTHERS THINK OF YOU
COUNTS MORE THAN WHAT YOU THINK
OF YOURSELF
You may have all the academic/professional
qualifications in the world and have been in the business
for years (decades) but you have to reinvrnt yourself for
every tour and every group. People have a good antenna
for someone going through the motions who no longer
cares about their passengers. Experience is important
but it is no substitute for enthusiasm.
10. IT IS A LIVING, NOT A LIFE

No matter how much of a buzz you

from a good tour, it is soon enough. So
don’t neglect the important people in
your life – friends and family 
 QUIZ

Please get ¼ sheet of paper.

Read the following situations and identify
which of the commandments in tour
guiding fits.
1. Anna wants to have a tour in Palawan so
she called Salton Travel and Tours to ask
about the tourist destinations and ask for a
sample itineniraty for a 3days 2 nights stay
in the city. When Anna arrived at the airport
she was disappointed because she was told
that she will be pick up at the airport at 3pm
but the driver arrived at 3:30pm.
2. Mr. Rodriguez is a regular guest
of Hue Hotel. On his first day of his
tour the tour was cancelled and he
was so mad about it. He shouted at
the guide but the guide remained
calm and apologized to Mr.
Rodriguez.
3. Shane always
supports Nikko in their
tour. They always work
hand in hand.
4. Daniel works hard for
his family 7 days a week
but he always make sure
that he spends quality
time with his family.
5. Cindy gave Karen her
itinerary for her tour but on
the day of the tour they
skipped some destinations that
were in the itinerary. Cindy
was so disappointed about it.
 ANSWERS 

1. Always be on time.
2. Apologize rather than explain.
3. Always support your driver.
4. It is a living not a life.
5. Always stick to the itinerary.