Tour Guiding

Techniques
Content and Methodology

Tourists
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

Basic factors for a

successful tourist
destination

Attractions which can be site itself or an

event
Amenities or facilities like
accommodation, food, local,
transportation, communication and
entertainment at the site
Accessibility
Peace and order

Characteristics of
Tourism
Product is not brought to the consumer;
The tourism product is not used up, it doesnt
exhaust the countrys natural resources;
People-oriented;
Labor-intensive;
Multi-dimensional;
Seasonal;
Dynamic;
Characterized by the changing ideas of its
customers.

Nature of Tour
Reception & Guiding
First impression of tourists play a very
important role
Receiving tourists is just like receiving
guests in your home
Show the best without boasting or
overdoing
Guiding is not simply telling them to your
left, to your left, theres a lot more into it.

Duties and
Responsibilities
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
Use common sense and be honest by saying
I dont know,I will check,..

 Ensure guests safety, warn them on:

Plants that might cause some allergies
Food and drinks that might not suit their
digestive system
Elevation for those with vertigo and fear of
height
Dogs that might bite
Presence of pickpockets in crowded areas

 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

Communication Skills
Language proficiency
Avoid using highfalutin words, use
simple, easy to understand words
Try to get rid of regional accent
Use synonyms to explain, to describe
something
Use non-verbal communication in a
difficult thing or situation

 Speak audibly, not too soft and not too

loud
Conduct your commentary in a relaxed,
entertaining manner (they came here to
enjoy, remember)

Guiding Techniques
Be prepared, study the destination
Plan your spiel 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

 Do not research to back up your facts

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

Qualities of an effective
Tour Guide

Love of country
People-loving
Open-mindedness
Tactfulness
Punctuality
Proper decorum
Honesty
resourcefulness

Self- confidence
Sense of humor
Enthusiasm
Fairness in treatment
Good health
Good communicator
Patience
Reasonable
Assertiveness
Humble and polite

Steps on how to make a

commentary
Begin with a smile, greeting and
introduction
Brief the guests about the tour for the day
Review the inclusions and exclusions of
the tour
Give the distance and traveling time of the
destination

What to expect from the tour

Give necessary precautions
Do not miss to point important landmarks
along the way
Announce comfort stops
Always do the head count

Tips for an effective tour

commentary
Start with a greeting or introduction
Information should be delivered in a
manner that would interest the guests
Sense of humor should be part of the
delivery of information
Remember, commentaries help people
understand and appreciate what they
actually see

Face the group, not a few

Speak slowly and clearly
Voice should be audible
Practice eye contact
Prepare yourself for questions to be
asked
Take control of your breathing and
emphasize important words

 Use synonyms, example in explaining

something
When mentioning a name, repeat it or spell it
Maintain silence, if the need arises
Listen carefully to questions and other
concerns
Never argue with the guests
End your tour always by thanking the guests

Methodology
Discuss the Tour guide Personality

Kinds of tour guides

Types of tour guides
Scope and responsibilities
Rewards of the profession

 Research Skills

Domestic tourism
Natural and man-made attractions
Historical sites
Events, fiestas
National, local and regional boundaries
Geography and topography

 Communication Skills
Reading
Thinking and writing
Delivery of commentary
Verbal and non- verbal

 Mock tour
Inside the classroom
Individual commentary-making
Delivery of commentary

 Actual tour to a destination

Observation from a licensed, professional
tour guide how to conduct a tour
Critiquing based on tour guiding principles
and techniques

 Tour to a destination with a prepared,

memorized spiel or commentary on a chosen
tourist attraction ( on the bus)
Invite resource speaker, tour guide for
additional hands-on lecture/presentation
Mock and actual tour is required to complete
the competencies of a tour guide

THE END