2. TouristsTourists
People who leave their homes to temporarilyPeople who leave their homes to temporarily
visit a placevisit a place
They should be spending and not earningThey should be spending and not earning
money from the place they visitmoney from the place they visit
Reasons can be pleasure, meetings orReasons can be pleasure, meetings or
seminarsseminars
With the intention of learning something aboutWith the intention of learning something about
the place like its history, people, culturethe place like its history, people, culture
3. Basic factors for aBasic factors for a
successful touristsuccessful tourist
destinationdestination
Attractions which can be site itself or anAttractions which can be site itself or an
eventevent
Amenities or facilities likeAmenities or facilities like
accommodation, food, local,accommodation, food, local,
transportation, communication andtransportation, communication and
entertainment at the siteentertainment at the site
AccessibilityAccessibility
Peace and orderPeace and order
4. Characteristics ofCharacteristics of
TourismTourism
Product is not brought to the consumer;Product is not brought to the consumer;
The tourism product is not used up, it doesn’tThe tourism product is not used up, it doesn’t
exhaust the country’s natural resources;exhaust the country’s natural resources;
People-oriented;People-oriented;
Labor-intensive;Labor-intensive;
Multi-dimensional;Multi-dimensional;
Seasonal;Seasonal;
Dynamic;Dynamic;
Characterized by the changing ideas of itsCharacterized by the changing ideas of its
customers.customers.
5. Nature of TourNature of Tour
Reception & GuidingReception & Guiding
First impression of tourists play a veryFirst impression of tourists play a very
important roleimportant role
Receiving tourists is just like receivingReceiving tourists is just like receiving
guests in your homeguests in your home
Show the best without boasting orShow the best without boasting or
overdoingoverdoing
Guiding is not simply telling them “to yourGuiding is not simply telling them “to your
left, to your left”, there’s a lot more into it.left, to your left”, there’s a lot more into it.
6. Duties andDuties and
ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities
Provide them information and explanationsProvide them information and explanations
about the place honestly without prejudice;about the place honestly without prejudice;
Ensure a factual presentation, make sure toEnsure a factual presentation, make sure to
distinguish the truth stories, legends, traditions;distinguish the truth stories, legends, traditions;
Act fairly and reasonably in all dealings withAct fairly and reasonably in all dealings with
colleagues and co-workers;colleagues and co-workers;
Always act with tact and diplomacy in dealingAlways act with tact and diplomacy in dealing
with the guestswith the guests
7. Always report for duty healthy and positiveAlways report for duty healthy and positive
Never take advantage of the ignorance of theNever take advantage of the ignorance of the
touriststourists
Never allow yourself to be used byNever allow yourself to be used by
unscrupulous organizations who want to takeunscrupulous organizations who want to take
advantage of the touristsadvantage of the tourists
Use common sense and be honest by saying “Use common sense and be honest by saying “
I don’t know,…I will check,..”I don’t know,…I will check,..”
8. Ensure guest’s safety, warn them on:Ensure guest’s safety, warn them on:
Plants that might cause some allergiesPlants that might cause some allergies
Food and drinks that might not suit theirFood and drinks that might not suit their
digestive systemdigestive system
Elevation for those with vertigo and fear ofElevation for those with vertigo and fear of
heightheight
Dogs that might biteDogs that might bite
Presence of pickpockets in crowded areasPresence of pickpockets in crowded areas
9. Protect the reputation of tourism byProtect the reputation of tourism by
making every assignment a treat, withmaking every assignment a treat, with
respect to the environment, wildlife,respect to the environment, wildlife,
sights & monuments, local customs &sights & monuments, local customs &
traditionstraditions
Act responsibly as representative of theAct responsibly as representative of the
country and the peoplecountry and the people
10. Communication SkillsCommunication Skills
Language proficiencyLanguage proficiency
Avoid using highfalutin words, useAvoid using highfalutin words, use
simple, easy to understand wordssimple, easy to understand words
Try to get rid of regional accentTry to get rid of regional accent
Use synonyms to explain, to describeUse synonyms to explain, to describe
somethingsomething
Use non-verbal communication in aUse non-verbal communication in a
difficult thing or situationdifficult thing or situation
11. Speak audibly, not too soft and not tooSpeak audibly, not too soft and not too
loudloud
Conduct your commentary in a relaxed,Conduct your commentary in a relaxed,
entertaining manner (they came here toentertaining manner (they came here to
enjoy, remember)enjoy, remember)
12. Guiding TechniquesGuiding Techniques
Be prepared, study the destinationBe prepared, study the destination
Plan your spiel or commentary, it should bePlan your spiel or commentary, it should be
structuredstructured
Have an update on the local and global newsHave an update on the local and global news
and environmental issuesand environmental issues
Intercede when necessary in the interactionIntercede when necessary in the interaction
with the guest and the localswith the guest and the locals
Be aware on the basic human behavior andBe aware on the basic human behavior and
attitudesattitudes
13. Do not research to back up your factsDo not research to back up your facts
Be ready for pertinent and impertinentBe ready for pertinent and impertinent
questionsquestions
In cases of having more than one guide, findIn cases of having more than one guide, find
some time to sit down, discuss to synchronizesome time to sit down, discuss to synchronize
information & learn from each otherinformation & learn from each other
Never tell your personal life at first meetingNever tell your personal life at first meeting
14. Never sell anything at first meetingNever sell anything at first meeting
unless they askunless they ask
Be punctual at all times. Be there at leastBe punctual at all times. Be there at least
one hour before the tour startsone hour before the tour starts
Learn map readingLearn map reading
Learn how to say NO to indecentLearn how to say NO to indecent
proposalsproposals
15. Always make a head count before,Always make a head count before,
during and after the tour, especially onduring and after the tour, especially on
stopsstops
Be practical when making judgment,Be practical when making judgment,
think if the benefit of the majoritythink if the benefit of the majority
Be a good decision makerBe a good decision maker
Learn basic first aidLearn basic first aid
16. Qualities of anQualities of an
effective Tour Guideeffective Tour Guide
Love of countryLove of country
People-lovingPeople-loving
Open-mindednessOpen-mindedness
TactfulnessTactfulness
PunctualityPunctuality
Proper decorumProper decorum
HonestyHonesty
resourcefulnessresourcefulness
17. Self- confidenceSelf- confidence
Sense of humorSense of humor
EnthusiasmEnthusiasm
Fairness in treatmentFairness in treatment
Good healthGood health
Good communicatorGood communicator
PatiencePatience
ReasonableReasonable
AssertivenessAssertiveness
Humble and politeHumble and polite
18. Steps on how to makeSteps on how to make
a commentarya commentary
Begin with a smile, greeting andBegin with a smile, greeting and
introductionintroduction
Brief the guests about the tour for theBrief the guests about the tour for the
dayday
Review the inclusions and exclusions ofReview the inclusions and exclusions of
the tourthe tour
Give the distance and traveling time ofGive the distance and traveling time of
the destinationthe destination
19. What to expect from the tourWhat to expect from the tour
Give necessary precautionsGive necessary precautions
Do not miss to point important landmarksDo not miss to point important landmarks
along the wayalong the way
Announce comfort stopsAnnounce comfort stops
Always do the head countAlways do the head count
20. Tips for an effectiveTips for an effective
tour commentarytour commentary
Start with a greeting or introductionStart with a greeting or introduction
Information should be delivered in aInformation should be delivered in a
manner that would interest the guestsmanner that would interest the guests
Sense of humor should be part of theSense of humor should be part of the
delivery of informationdelivery of information
Remember, commentaries help peopleRemember, commentaries help people
understand and appreciate what theyunderstand and appreciate what they
actually seeactually see
21. Face the group, not a fewFace the group, not a few
Speak slowly and clearlySpeak slowly and clearly
Voice should be audibleVoice should be audible
Practice eye contactPractice eye contact
Prepare yourself for questions to bePrepare yourself for questions to be
askedasked
Take control of your breathing andTake control of your breathing and
emphasize important wordsemphasize important words
22. Use synonyms, example in explainingUse synonyms, example in explaining
somethingsomething
When mentioning a name, repeat it or spell itWhen mentioning a name, repeat it or spell it
Maintain silence, if the need arisesMaintain silence, if the need arises
Listen carefully to questions and otherListen carefully to questions and other
concernsconcerns
Never argue with the guestsNever argue with the guests
End your tour always by thanking the guestsEnd your tour always by thanking the guests
23. MethodologyMethodology
Discuss the Tour guide PersonalityDiscuss the Tour guide Personality
Kinds of tour guidesKinds of tour guides
Types of tour guidesTypes of tour guides
Scope and responsibilitiesScope and responsibilities
Rewards of the professionRewards of the profession
24. Research SkillsResearch Skills
Domestic tourismDomestic tourism
Natural and man-made attractionsNatural and man-made attractions
Historical sitesHistorical sites
Events, fiestasEvents, fiestas
National, local and regional boundariesNational, local and regional boundaries
Geography and topographyGeography and topography
25. Communication SkillsCommunication Skills
ReadingReading
Thinking and writingThinking and writing
Delivery of commentaryDelivery of commentary
Verbal and non- verbalVerbal and non- verbal
26. Mock tourMock tour
Inside the classroomInside the classroom
Individual commentary-makingIndividual commentary-making
Delivery of commentaryDelivery of commentary
27. Actual tour to a destinationActual tour to a destination
Observation from a licensed, professionalObservation from a licensed, professional
tour guide how to conduct a tourtour guide how to conduct a tour
Critiquing based on tour guiding principlesCritiquing based on tour guiding principles
and techniquesand techniques
28. Tour to a destination with a prepared,Tour to a destination with a prepared,
memorized spiel or commentary on a chosenmemorized spiel or commentary on a chosen
tourist attraction ( on the bus)tourist attraction ( on the bus)
Invite resource speaker, tour guide forInvite resource speaker, tour guide for
additional hands-on lecture/presentationadditional hands-on lecture/presentation
Mock and actual tour is required to completeMock and actual tour is required to complete
the competencies of a tour guidethe competencies of a tour guide