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HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Your chance to work all over the world! My Tour Guide Course will tell you
everything you need to know about tour guiding, tour directing, tour managing
and tour leading. This no nonsense advice will help you do well at interview,
get a job, and do it successfully so you are invited back time and time again to
lead, manage, and direct tours in countries you have dreamed of seeing. You
have made the right start by purchasing this e-book, which will start you off by
giving you invaluable advice about many aspects of the job and how to do
well at interviews. You can also register for my Tour Guide Course, at the end
of which you will get a certificate demonstrating the knowledge you have
acquired to do the job well.
Is this job for you?
Do you:
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enjoy the journey as much as the destination?
have a genuine like of other people?
enjoy sharing your knowledge with others?
Do you like:
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planning, list making?
inspiring people?
getting into action?
being the boss, in charge, the leader?
'performing', being witty, showing off a bit?
getting to know new people?
discovering new, maybe far flung, places?
world music?
dealing with challenges?
travelling alone?
Are you:
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enthusiastic about new experiences?
good at making decisions quickly?
not challenged by asking for help and advice?
interested in different cultures?
not afraid of flying?
keen to learn new languages?
If you can tick more than ten of these, get ready to go – your first, most
important part of the journey – the first step- starts now!
“Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power
and magic in it.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
My journey to this wonderful job
The route I took started with a love of languages, and my hobbies were
outdoor activities like swimming and hiking. I did my life saving qualification
before my first aid.
My first job was in personnel - getting to know people, developing
communication skills and helping others to increase their self confidence.
After a few years I went into teaching, determined to make information
interesting so my students wouldn't be bored at school like I was! I had to
keep records which was invaluable experience, if not my strongest skill.
My next role was in management coaching - inspiring people, developing their
assertiveness skills, and encouraging their personal development.
I was lucky enough to be able to spend a year travelling independently and
haven't stopped since. I had to plan and deal with unexpected situations, and
my courage was often stretched. I was hooked, and after a period of retraining myself in the travel industry (first as an airline ticketing clerk, then as a
travel agent), I stumbled across the job of my dreams: an adventure tour
leader, and this is what I want to make available for you!
So, how about you?
The good news: adventure tour operators are always recruiting! Most tour
leaders usually only work for a couple of years before they move on, either to
settle down or because they have simply ‘burned out’.
The bad news: the job is very demanding. It can be stressful; it is certainly
lonely.
Job application procedures: after completing an application form, which can
usually be obtained from the tour operator’s website (read any published
guidelines before completing it), you may be invited for interview. At the
interview you will surely be asked how you would cope in certain situations, to
see if you can think ‘on your feet’ – an important aspect of the job. If
successful at interview you may then spend some time (from a day to two
weeks) training. This may include ‘shadowing’ an experienced tour leader.
Background and experience: some tour operators stipulate certain
qualifications and/or experience. Overland truck companies require you to
have a suitable driving licence and possibly also a mechanical qualification.
Other tour operators need their leaders to be able to speak the language of
the region/s they specialise in. Others still, e.g. bird watching tour specialists,
require their leaders to have knowledge of their particular field. Mostly though,
tour leaders need to be resourceful and bright, with good communication
skills, regardless of their age or background.
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
One:
Why be a Tour Guide?
Work as a tour leader, tour manager, tour director – it doesn’t
matter what the title is – the job is pretty much the same all
over the world!
A tour guide’s duties will vary according to the type of tour company
employing you. For example if you work for an overlanding (what’s
this?***) tour operator you may have to drive the vehicle, carry out
vehicle maintenance, cook on a camp stove…..
If you work as a tour director for a coach tour company you will
probably have to do narrations en route, organise seating, answer lots
of questions…..
*** Overlanding is travelling with a group on a specially designed
vehicle over often rough terrain. It usually involves eating al fresco,
camping in camp sites or ‘bush camping’ where no facilities are
available, where you sleep under the stars. It may be in the silence of
the desert or among the cacophony of noise in the jungle…..you are
close to nature!
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Whatever type of job you have in this field, you get to work with
people when they are happy – most people don’t go on holiday to
be in a bad mood, or complain. It’s lots of fun!
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The job is never boring. You get to solve problems, think on
your feet, and be inventive. You may encounter danger; you’ll
certainly encounter the unexpected.
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You get to travel free, and even get paid for it.
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You meet all sorts of interesting people, from all over the world.
Some you get to work with, some will be your clients
Here’s what some tour guides have said about their job:
‘.....challenging, painful, thrilling, inspiring, exhausting …’
‘…..the most exciting, fun, scary, off-the-wall job I’ve ever had…’
‘….the best job in the universe…’
My Tour Guide Course Training Manual will teach you everything you
need to know to do well at interviews and get a job as a tour guide,
tour director or tour manager. Working as a tour leader is demanding
and the better prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy your work and
the happier your clients will be, not to mention safer, and more likely
to travel again with your company!
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Make friends with people of all nationalities and
backgrounds
Learn about other countries and cultures
Learn new languages or improve your foreign language skills
Be aware of:
Long hours, no fixed routine. You are on duty 24/7!
Some expense – not all meals will be covered and alcohol won’t be!
Long periods away from home
Repeating the same itinerary several times
Often the time you spend doing a reconnaissance (what’s this?***) of a
destination will be unpaid
Work can be seasonal with no guarantee of further contracts
You may be self-employed, with no job security or redundancy pay
You must be fit and healthy – there’s no one to take over from you on
tour (but in the case of serious illness the company will usually send
out a replacement leader/guide)
***A reconnaissance (French) is a pre-tour visit to a destination to get to
know it, make contact with local hotel personnel/guides/agents, seek
out restaurants suitable for groups, and make yourself known. If there
are any walks or cycle rides on the tour itinerary, now is the time to do
them yourself, making notes of difficulty, any hazards, duration,
optional alternative routes, and so on. There is no substitute for your
own knowledge of a destination or walking route; even other tour
leader’s notes are not always reliable (circumstances / staff may have
changed, paths disappeared…)
Do a sketch map of every route – you may not remember them all!
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Photo 1: Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an, China
Photo 2: make new friends - Tibet
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Two
The interview
Be great at your tour guide interview…get a job as a tour guide…tour
director’s guide to interviewing well…tour managers – give a great
interview!
The headings on your application form will give you an idea of what
your future employer wants to find out about you, and the list below
is quite comprehensive and you should be prepared to be asked
about all of the following:
Name, marital status, age and address
Level of education, any examinations passed
Other qualifications
State of health and fitness, previous illnesses, current health issues,
medical conditions
Driving experience/licences held (esp. heavy goods vehicle/public
transport licence)
Your referees
Relevant previous employment
Availability
Passport details – number of blank pages, Israel visits?
Travel experience in detail – where, duration, type of visit, transport,
purpose, independent or organised
Group leadership experience
Tour leader qualities, skills and experience
Responsibilities – e.g. other people’s money/safety
Personal qualities – e.g. experience of working erratic hours, alone, ‘on
call’, without breaks, in teams, etc
Why you want to be a tour guide/lead tours
Organising others, activities
Camping, camp cooking, meal planning, shopping and preparation
Public speaking – with or without microphone
Riding animals (camels, horses, donkeys, yaks)
White water rafting, canoeing, snorkelling, diving, sailing
Climbing mountains, trekking, orienteering, walking on cliff edges,
enclosed spaces e.g. caves
Contact with animals – spiders, snakes, scorpions, sharks, big game,
rats, cockroaches
Coping in hostile crowds
Flying, ferries – do you suffer from travel sickness? any fears?
General knowledge of countries, politics, world geography, ancient
history, Arab world, religions, classics
Influences: favourite book/film/music
Who in the whole of history would you want to spend 24 hours with
and why?
Interests/hobbies/clubs/sports/professional bodies/charities
Book keeping experience
Three adjectives to describe your best/worst qualities
Temper loss – when, why
Other people’s irritating behaviours
What type of travel appeals to you most?
Able to lead a 5 day trek with sickness and diarrhoea?
How would you modify your behaviour in the Middle East?
What aspect of the job are you looking forward to the most?
Is this a career choice/lifestyle choice/means to an end?
What experience has had the biggest impact on your personal
development?
Languages: fluent/native speaker; conversational; street level; a few
words
First aid/ lifesaving qualifications held
You may then be asked problem solving questions, and be given
various scenarios in which you have to decide what to do. Often there
is no one single ‘correct’ answer – you are being tested on your ability
to ‘think on your feet’, under pressure.
Interview preparation
Although you may never be asked about the following, it pays to know
how you would respond
1 Know yourself
a) What are your priorities? (e.g. making a difference, learning new
skills, seeing the world….)
b) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
c) What are your interests (not only ‘hobbies’ but what you want
for your life
2. Know your potential employers
a) What type of tours do they specialise in?
b) What type of clients do they have/ what are their clients looking
for?
c) What are their long and short term aims?
d) What are their priorities (e.g. sustainable tourism, profit,
reputation……..)
3. Know the job
a) What vacation time will you have? Will it be paid or unpaid?
b) Will you be offered discounted tours?
c) What are the benefits? The drawbacks? (e.g. free travel, long
hours…)
d) What skills will you need?
e) What qualifications will you need? (e.g. first aid, lifesaving,
mountain guiding certificate…)
You can of course ask questions about section 3 during the interview
if you haven’t found out the answers elsewhere, but far better to ask
‘checking’ questions (e.g. is it true that I will…..?) to show you have
developed some research skills
Study their website, recent press releases, other job vacancies in the
organisation, who their competitors are
Match the job description to yourself e.g. if it stipulates ‘hard worker’,
tell them about the time/s you have given your all
Anticipate questions. Below are some sample popular interview
questions
a) Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
b) What would make you feel most proud about doing this job?
c) Tell me about how you’ve dealt with unpleasant situations
d) How has your approach to work changed over the last two
years?
e) In this job you will sometimes be acting the role of nurse,
counsellor or teacher. How are you prepared for this?
f) Tell me about an unpopular decision you’ve had to make in your
life
g) Why should we employ you?
Before your interview:
Research the company and its policies (e.g. on responsible travel)
Anticipate questions: what do you think they’ll want to know about
you and your experience?
Choose clean, comfortable clothes – have them ready the day before
Make sure you look your best – it will give you confidence
Make sure you know how to get there – do a reconnaissance and make
a note of the time it takes
Arrive early; give yourself time to relax
Be prepared to improvise – some companies like to throw in a surprise
to see how you react – like a third party barging in to shout at the
interviewer, trying to bring you into an argument. Always stay calm
and request more information before making any decisions – don’t be
rushed into an answer you’ll regret
During your interview:
Be aware of your body position. Your body language says far more
about you than your words.
Sit up straight, don’t slouch.
Keep still, don’t fidget.
Look at the interviewer – look at the bridge of his/her nose rather
than stare into the eyes.
Lean forward to show interest, and back to show you’re thinking.
Smile - naturally - keep thinking what an opportunity this is and how
much fun you’re going to have.
Stay positive – this job has your name on it!
Ask questions
Don’t interrupt
Recap any points you are not sure of by repeating them back to the
interviewer
Photo: Tibetan monastery
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Three:
Getting a job as a tour guide
Here’s what some tour operating companies say they are looking for in a
tour manager or tour director
The qualities of a good tour leader
Communication skills (especially listening and public speaking)
Aware of safety issues
Patience
Tolerance
Humour
Genuine liking of people
Positive attitude (especially in the face of setbacks)
Enquiring mind
Open mind
Travel experience, especially independent
Experience with the public
Calmness under pressure
Ability to deal with the unforeseen
Quick thinking
Adaptability
Planning skills
Courage
Diligence
Enthusiasm
Awareness of cultural differences
Destination knowledge
Adventurous
Dynamic
Flexible
Reliable
Lateral thinking
Language skills
Environmental know how
Awareness of responsible travel issues
Leadership skills (school, college/university, career, interest groups)
Do you have some of these qualities? Then this job could be for you! Let us help you
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Get the job
Do it well
Get paid more
Get more out of your work
Photo: Everest – nearly there!
Read this e-book then register for my Tour Guide Course on my
website:
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Four :
Tips for Tour Guides
What employers are looking for in a tour guide
People handling skills:
1. Confidence. You need to inspire confidence and command
authority, which means being confident yourself.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Enthusiasm. You have a great job- enjoy it.
Sensitivity. You must also be sensitive to peoples’ needs.
Responsiveness. Respond to requests and worries promptly.
Calmness. Don’t get flustered or panic. Refer problems you don’t
know how to deal with to the office, don’t react out of nerves
6. When dealing with local agents, guides, drivers, hotel or
campsite personnel, be friendly but remain in control.
7. Develop an easy working relationship with everyone – balance
friendliness with firmness
8. Sociability. You have to socialise with everyone in your group,
regardless of background, age and experience. Spend an equal
amount of time with everybody, don’t have favourites. Never get
drunk on tour – by all means party with the group but know
your limits with alcohol and don’t exceed them. Remember you
are responsible for their safety and well being.
Organisational ability:
1. Plan ahead. Double check times, places, names, contact
numbers, reservations
2. Research your destination and anticipate potential difficulties.
Always have a back up plan in case of emergency or last minute
changes.
3. Approach situations and problems logically – don’t let emotion
influence you.
4. Make notes or lists – don’t rely on your memory; it may fail you
under pressure
Appropriate appearance:
1. Dress according to the style of the tour company. Coach tour
directors usually wear smarter clothes than adventure tour
guides, but no tour leaders should be unkempt or unwashed.
2. When dealing with local officials, dress more formally. This
doesn’t mean wearing a suit, but trousers might be a better
choice than shorts, and a (non iron) shirt rather than a T shirt.
Problem solving skills:
1. Read up about solutions to as many scenarios as possible – new
situations are always arising and the more you are familiar
with, the better.
2. Tell everyone what you are going to do, then do it. Don’t change
your mind. Don’t invite comments about your decisions. The
responsibility is yours; you can’t share it.
Public speaking skills:
1. Keep information brief. Speak with authority. Never waffle –
be direct.
2. Practice at home – replace ‘um’ and ‘er’ with a pause.
3. Tell your audience how long you are going to talk for, and
stick to it.
4. Speak clearly and audibly. Enunciate carefully. Check that
everyone can hear. Repeat important information to sum up
at the end of your talk
Ability to handle officialdom:
1. Take all situations seriously.
2. Show respect. Don’t squirm or be obsequious, but don’t be
condescending or superior
Information skills:
1. Write clear, concise tour reports (see chapter 5)
2. Check you have included everything required. Sign and date the
report, noting down who should receive a copy.
Qualities of a good tour leader:
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Don’t try to impress
Develop a blend of optimistic cynicism, of low expectations and
high anticipations
Be determined to get the best from everything rather than of
everything
Develop a sense of responsibility – the buck stops with you
Aim to inspire others to do what they’ve always dreamed of
doing but never dared
Be supportive
Retain a sense of fun, lightness and ease around others’
participation
Be a ‘stand’ for them to get the most from their travels
Know when to back off if people get uncomfortable
Share what you’ve learned and respect what others want
Priorities for a successful tour:
1. Safety. Without compromise, your group’s personal safety must
come first
2. Fun. Your group should enjoy whatever they’re doing. Life’s too
short…
3. Education. If your group can expand as people and learn from
their experiences, their lives become richer, they’ll have more to
offer others, and they’ll feel fulfilled
All of the above apply to you, the leader, as well!
Photo: Kathmandu street scene
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Five:
Tour Manager Responsibilities
Rafting trip near Pokhara, Nepal
All of these are covered in my Tour Guide Course:
Knowing the destination
Pre-tour research
Introductory briefings
Daily briefings
Dealing with local operators
Working with local guides
Destination difficulties
Food
Transport
Accommodation
Feedback to employer – writing tour reports
Selling other tours
Acting as a representative of the tour company
Arriving at reception
Airport / ferry rail journey procedures
Reporting to employer
Dealing with money
Tour accounts
Changes to itinerary
Changes of accommodation
Changes of ownership
Visiting hotels
On site research for employer
Keeping a journal
Legal aspects
Liaising with employer
Liaising with local agents
Examples:
Writing a good tour report – your employer will tell you what to include,
but it’s up to you to be concise and clear. Whenever you’re writing,
remember to think about the reader. Ask yourself ‘would I understand this if
it had been written if it was written by someone else?’ And don’t forget to
include all the essential information: who, what, why, when, where, how…..
Liaising with your employer – if you connect by email, phone or fax, keep
to the minimum number of words. Use abbreviations but make sure they are
industry standard (e.g. ‘pax’) and intelligible. There’s usually no need to give
pax’ first names, for example, unless two or more share a family name. If
using the telephone, the shorter the message, the less time it takes, and
time is money when you’re making a long distance call! Nowadays many
operators use mobile phones and/or email, but in several countries these
are not available so be prepared! Even when email is available it may take a
long time to connect and communications are often ‘timed out’. In these
countries fax is sometimes the most reliable, if not very convenient.
Bhaktapur, Nepal
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Six :
X Factor tour guide qualities
X Factor talent tips for tour guides!
Get work as a tour guide and see the world. Learn from an insider’s
tips – be a great tour director and get well-paid tour leading jobs.
Be a cut above the rest… ‘go the extra mile’…increase your gratuities
and tips…..exceed expectations and earn more
For example
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fill out departure cards for each member of the group and hand
out before they leave. They will appreciate not having to do this
mundane and time-consuming task themselves. You can pick
up a pile of these cards at the airport while waiting for your
group to arrive
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make a note of any hobbies and interests and keep these in
mind when you plan any excursions. Artists often appreciate an
opportunity to sketch interesting buildings, people or scenery –
choose rendezvous points accordingly and advise them in
advance
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gourmets and ‘bon viveurs’ appreciate being told of especially
good restaurants offering local specialities or fine wines – give
them the opportunity to visit these
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teachers and families may want to see local schools – arrange
visits if possible
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find out about any local football, rugby or similar sports
fixtures. Sports fans will appreciate having the opportunity to
see local games
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find out about local craft exhibitions, factories, workshops and
museums. Not everyone is interested in big museums but may
appreciate a visit to a small, specialist exhibition or factory
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try to arrange at least one evening where the whole group can
eat together. Usually a ‘last supper’ is a good idea, but try to
have a get together early on in the tour so people can mix and
get to know each other. This is particularly valuable for solo
travellers. Many hotels offer a ‘welcome’ drink on arrival – ask in
your first hotel
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remember that for some travellers this could be the first time
they are in unfamiliar territory. Check they know where the
nearest chemist, bank, ATM or money exchange, church and
food store is. Be on hand to translate or at least advise them on
how to ask for what they need
Photo: making new friends in Tibet
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Seven:
Extracts from the diary of a tour guide
To give you an idea of what the first day of a new tour might be like,
here’s this extract from one of my tour journals:
Day 1
Air China at LHR would not check my bag all the way to HK. Turned
out to be a blessing in disguise as flight delayed so I wouldn’t have
been there to collect it. Boarded on time, then spent 3 hours sitting in
cabin before take off! No explanation given! (“There are take off
formalities, thank you for corporation”)
Not an auspicious start…..also only a thimbleful of red wine with
meal. Am not impressed. Read thro’ manifest – family A arriving ahead
of group - independent transfer.
Day 2
Missed connection due to late arrival. Had to go through immigration
again as HK considered international departure even tho’ now part of
China
Arrived HK. E23 bus to hotel; fare should have been 18HKD but as
driver had no change didn’t have to pay (let other passengers on free
too, maybe he was having altruistic day). Previous GL’s directions not
clear from bus stop. You cannot cross the road where bus drops you,
you have to walk to nearest crossing and find way from there. Not
sure how I found it…
Day 3
Very misty weather, rain forecast, hardest bed in the world. Phoned
local agents. Confirmed transfer arrangements, they pay cost. Asked
about distance from bus stop to hotel in Guangzhou - bus stops
outside hotel, hooray!
Did recce of orientation walk - might be a bit long for kids. Met family
A in foyer, they seem happy.
Set off on bus around 17.00 for airport to meet group. Flight delayed
25 minutes, pax all arrived after okay flight. They had found the
transit at PEK a bit confusing, with all the form filling…Money
changed, ATM etc., bought water. Arranged 09.45 dep time to walk to
Guangzhou bus stop day after tomorrow.
Day 4
08.30 – 09.15 Briefing in hotel meeting room. Manifest info, checked
visas etc…One family has child on mother’s passport - told okay in
UK. I have doubts. Went for Dim Sum breakfast at resto opposite hotel
to LHS. 21 HKD each, plenty, incl tea/ cokes, approx 1 hour to
serve/eat. Great fun. Did walk, left pax at Peak tram station. Bought
durian fruit & lychees en route. Pointed out good Chinese Store near
Star Ferry for shopping (see manual update)
Met group 19.00 foyer. Walked through night markets in Temple
Street to dinner Golden Sea Harbour resto.63 HKD each, good,
noodles/rice with various meats. Pax had good day, most stayed on
Peak, had medium priced lunch up there, did shopping. Gave
demonstration of how to pee in squat toilet keeping feet dry ….did
briefing for morning info., pax went shopping. Pax A asked me to book
taxi to take bags to bus stop.. seems good idea. Arranged wake up
calls.
NB:
LHR = London Heathrow airport
Manifest = what some tour companies call the rooming list/ passenger list, with
details of their flights, passport information and so on
Independent transfer = passengers not taking the group coach from airport to hotel
GL = group leader
HK = Hong Kong
HKD = Hong Kong dollars, the local currency
PEK = Beijing airport
Recce = reconnaissance, a trial visit to familiarise yourself with a place
Dep = departure
Pax = the group, the clients
ATM = automatic telling machine – a cash dispensing machine (‘hole in the wall’)
Resto = restaurant
Manual = the tour leader’s ‘bible’ containing all the necessary information for the tour
Photo: Scrambled eggs camp-style
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Eight :
Tour guide’s essential kit
Here’s what I would take with me on all my tours:
Sellotape for sealing poor quality envelopes in less developed countries
Scissors
Blutack for putting up notices
Pens, including coloured
Stapler
Tippex
Notepaper/notebook
Whistle
Compass
Padlock
Torch and head torch
First aid book
First aid kit
Dice
Playing cards
Highlighter pens
Pencils
Eraser
Sharpener
Knife with tools (e.g. Swiss Army)
Batteries
Receipt book
Binoculars
Envelopes (for local payments, tips, receipts)
Money belt and secure money storage ‘safe’
Adapter plug for electrical equipment like battery charger/travel hair
drier/shaver
Mobile phone with charger
Photos: leisure activities, luxury cruise style!
About to fly - parasailing
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Nine:
Duties of a tour guide
Your Tour Guide Training course includes sections on these aspects of
your tour director job:
Confirm hotel rooms booked and available for arrival
Arrange airport/harbour transfers
Organise first meal
Meet and greet group
Give brief welcome talk on transport
Hotel check in
Meet group for introductory briefing
Accompany to first meal
Give daily briefing
Accompany on excursion
Lead walk
Arrange meals
Complete daily reports and other tour documents
Complete accounts sheets, file receipts
Deal with any emergencies or problems
Arrange accommodation check out
Reconfirm flights
Arrange return transfers
Distribute evaluation forms
Fill in departure cards and distribute
Accompany to airport/harbour
Fill in tour report
NB Selling other tours
Sometimes you are expected to sell other tours to your group,
sometimes it’s left to you, and you may be paid commission or given a
bonus
Hiking in Canada
Rafting in Nepal
USA cowboy camp, Utah
www.tourguidecourse.com
HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Ten:
Pre-tour research
Before setting off on tour there’s a lot to prepare for the benefit of the
efficient running of the tour and for your group’s enjoyment.
A good place to start is the tour brochure. Know the tour code,
duration and itinerary. If the company produces a trip dossier or tour
booklet, study it carefully. This tells you what information the clients
have.
Read the tour manual/notes provided by the operator carefully. Don’t
leave this until you arrive – you may miss something vital that needs
to be said or done on arrival.
Make sure you know the company’s client profile (age group,
nationality, sex, marital status, economic status, experience)
Do your destination research before the tour starts. Sometimes this
may have to be while you are travelling to meet your group, so go
prepared with guide books, maps, internet search devices, tour
notes/manuals.
Look at the rooming list and get acquainted with your group’s age
range, marital status and so on.
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HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Eleven:
Meeting your group for the first time
You are probably the first contact your group has with the tour
company you work for. First impressions are very, very important. No
matter how tired or overwhelmed you might feel (the flight might be
late, you may have just run round from departures after waving
goodbye to another group, you may have paperwork to do before you
can relax / go to bed….), their holiday begins now, and they may well
be nervous, tired or tetchy. This is the time when they will be most
critical – so make sure you, as Tour Director, inspire confidence.
In your mind, step over to where they are: in the hands of a complete
stranger, in an unknown place, maybe fearful that you are
inexperienced.
If it’s been a long journey or it’s late, acknowledge their tiredness and
reassure them you will keep arrival procedures to a minimum.
Welcome them and introduce yourself by giving your first name. Tell
them you are going to do your very best to make sure they have a
fabulous holiday.
They want to know that you’re experienced and capable. If you’re new
to the tour leader job don’t tell them now!
What to do when you’re new to the job and you get asked how many
tours you’ve directed:
If they ask you how many tours you’ve led give a non-committal reply
like ‘a few’ – smiling as you say it - and move quickly on to share what
great tour management training all the company’s tour guides have,
how well they prepare their group leaders, and how supportive the
highly experienced office staff are.
Photos: Jetski, Haiti; Near camp, Western Australia
‘Bird on Stick’ snack, Yangste River, China
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HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Twelve:
Introductory briefing
Take with you
Map/s
Forms
Spare pens
Copy of sheet used for notices (so they can recognise it when they see
it on hotel notice boards/reception desks)
Ask the group to bring with them
Tickets
Vouchers, any local payment/ food kitty money
Insurance details
Pen
Passport
1. Welcome and state your name clearly at least twice (spell if
necessary)
2. Stress the importance of this administration time and promise
to make it as brief as possible
3. Explain your role (not a specialist mountain/city/river guide –
there to oversee whole tour, deal with problems): overall liaison
with everyone involved in the tour (say you’ll do your very best
to make sure everyone has a good holiday)
4. Show/explain the tour itinerary using the map. Reassure them
there will be stops on long road journeys
5. Run through general health issues: drinking water (usually safe
but different bacteria mix so don’t want to waste first few days
being ill while adapting to it); avoid eating salads and hotel
buffets – freshly cooked hot street food usually okay, as is fruit
that can be peeled; sun protection. You should carry spare
rehydration salts and a first aid kit – make sure the group
know this
6. Advise on clothing – you will tell them when they need boots,
when and where shorts, skimpy tops are okay and when not,
where to find clothing shops
7. Advise on food – what to expect, whether breakfast is included.
Ask if there are any vegetarians or special diets (in case the
office have missed this out)
8. Run through safety issues: carry only small amounts of money,
leave valuables in hotel safes in rooms or at reception; beware
of money changing touts; advise of any known scams; advise
never to go anywhere alone without telling someone else (you if
possible) when and where
9. Advice costs of any optional excursions and give a brief
description – details nearer the time (not now)
10.
Advise to carry toilet roll or tissue, sun cream,
sunglasses, a hat, water bottle, camera and spare
film/batteries, wet wipes, hand cleansing gel, repellent, bite
relief
11.
Show notice paper and explain when and where to look
for them (but never rely on the group looking for these
themselves – it is your responsibility to advise verbally of any
changes)
12.
Collect any money, tickets, vouchers, passports, manifest
forms and so on needed by you at this stage. If you have a tips
kitty, explain how it works
13.
Remind the group that punctuality is necessary, not
optional – explain the overall accumulated loss of holiday time
if have to wait 10 minutes every rendezvous time
14.
Run through today/tonight’s activities, timings, options
15.
Briefly describe tomorrow’s activities, timings, options
(reassure them you will do this again in the morning or on a
notice)
16.
Give out hotel cards if you didn’t do it on arrival at
reception
17.
Explain the rooming policy (any rotation of single rooms,
requests for changes, company policy on sharing)
18.
Explain the role of local guides and the differences
between their roles and yours
19.
Explain baggage policy (carry own? leave outside room
door?)
20.
Explain hotel’s washing policy? Is it permitted in rooms
or is there a laundry service?
21.
Point out any time differences/ dialling codes
22.
Any questions? Explain that if there are any problems
they must tell you – that you can’t fix what you don’t know
about, that it’s better to talk than to complain. You are there to
help them enjoy themselves.
On departure:
1. Remind the group to return hotel room keys (do this on
departure before leaving the reception area)
2. All washing collected and paid for before departure?
3. Make sure you have returned all passports/visas, tickets,
and made any photocopies needed
On first journey
Give a brief talk about the local history, geography, culture if
you have no guide with you. Explain that guides have in depth
local knowledge of their own country; you have overall
knowledge of several. Remind them to remove any sharp objects
(and sometimes, alcohol) from hand luggage. Point out nearest
pharmacies/ food shops
Dancing with Dong people, China
Glacier lake, Canada
Lion cub, Zimbabwe
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HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Thirteen:
Communication skills
When addressing the whole group for the first time you’ll probably feel
nervous. The following tips will help you – remember, preparation is
all!
Speaking skills
1. Try not to use phrases like ‘to be honest …’ or ‘this may seem
stupid, but..’
2. Start off with a strong, welcoming greeting such as ‘ Ladies and
gentlemen, I’m delighted to meet you and I’m looking forward to
spending the next…(days, weeks)…with you’
3. When you need to pause, avoid ‘um’, ‘er,’ and the like. You want
to sound confident, knowledgeable and credible. Replace filler
words like ‘so,’ with a pause. You’ll still buy yourself some time
but your audience will think you are pausing for effect. This
also gives them time to absorb what you’re saying
4. Connect eyes with one individual for a complete sentence, take
a moment to move your eyes away and on to the next person.
Only speak when you see your listener’s eyes and pause when
you look away. A useful trick is to rest your eyes just above the
bridge of their nose so that you’re not staring directly at them,
but still engaging with them.
5. Your voice needs to reach everyone in your group. Imagine you
are projecting it to the person at the very back – everyone needs
to be able to hear you clearly. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being
inaudible, aim for a 7 or 8 when speaking to a large group. Aim
for 4 or 5 with a small group. You don’t want to be shouting,
either!
6. Don’t fidget with your hands, rings, watch, pen - anything.
Holding your hands behind your back or in front is a bit too stiff
and not very comfortable. I recommend using your hands to
help you. Use gestures such as holding your palms upwards at
waist or chest height, holding your fingertips together at the
nails then opening outwards like a flower blossoming,
interlacing your fingers then pulling them apart. Gestures like
this add energy to your talk and hold your listeners’ attention,
as well as helping divert your nerves! Add variety by relaxing
your arms back to your sides after each gesture. Don’t overdo it
– you want to be able to think about what you’re saying, not
what your next move is!
7. Get to the point. If your listeners are fidgeting and looked bored,
they probably are! Focus on their needs – what they need to
know, and forget about yourself and what you look like.
Listening skills
Your role as Tour Guide is a service role. Keep this in mind in your
communication with your group – usually, when we ‘listen’ to
others, we’re not really listening – we’re thinking about what we are
going to say next; or we are wondering what they think of us, or
making some kind of judgement about them. It’s normal human
behaviour. Try to forget who you are and think instead about your
role – to support the people in your group in getting the most out of
their holiday. This simple technique can change the way you listen
to others, and give you the edge when it comes to being of service.
You’ll be more likely to remember what they like or dislike as
individuals, which in turn will help you make their holiday special
– they’ll feel cared for and respected.
And you’ll get a happier group, better feedback to the office, and better
tips!
Christina lake, Canada
Buddha Water cave, China
Grand Canyon Hike
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HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Fourteen:
Ten top tips for tour guides
1# Know your employer’s procedures
As a tour leader or tour manager you will probably work for more
than one company in your career. Make sure you know what your
current employer’s procedures are
2# Research your destinations
Make sure you know about local festivals, customs, dress code,
dialects, food and drink. As tour director you can make a holiday
sensational!
3# Be prepared to think on your feet
The most challenging aspect of the job! Think about what you
would do in various scenarios (accidents, breakdowns, illness).Take
advantage of my tour guide course and learn what to do in tricky
situations.
4# Remember, you are in a customer service role
You are playing the role of representative of your employer, of
leader. You are there to support and encourage your group and to
do your utmost to ensure they have a great holiday, and to deliver
what your employer has promised
5# Plan ahead – meticulously
Your employer will usually provide you with notes, a manual, a
booklet or other document outlining what you need to know to run
each individual tour. Study it carefully. Everything you need to find
out about is in my tour guide course
6# Keep safety in mind, always
Your tour operating company is legally obliged to give due care and
attention to your group
7# Be aware of cultural and personality differences
Know your group, know your destination and the people there. As
a tourist guide you’ll be working with people from all over the world
– in my tour guide course you will learn about cultural differences
at work
8# Stay calm
Your group need to have confidence in you, to feel secure that you
are experienced
9# Be enthusiastic
Your group is here to have a great holiday. No matter how low you
feel, put it to one side and remember your role – to be an
inspiration
10# Always have a back up plan
Things may not go according to plan – the bus may be cancelled,
the bridge washed away, your guide is sick…so make sure you
have an alternative to offer.
‘Elephant washing’, Nepal
Hard at work in Las Vegas
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Fifteen:
An example day in the life of a camping tour guide
Near camp, Western Australia
06.30 get up, pack bag, take tent down & stow on tour bus. Check
driver awake. Shower. Check breakfast team has started preparing
food and kettle is on.
Supervise loading tents onto bus, check everyone is awake and on the
move.
Eat breakfast. Check washing up is being done by today’s team. Go to
campsite office and pay for pitch. Look around site and kitchen for
any items left behind. Board the bus.
Do a head count on the bus before telling the driver to move off.
Pick up tour bus microphone and wish everyone good morning; thank
breakfast team for meal. Tell group where you are going, roughly how
long it will take, any stops en route and anything special to look out
for. Check everyone is feeling okay – if anyone unwell make space for
them to lie down and ask if they need a doctor.
Sit down and complete any tour documents, expenses sheet and so
on.
Describe any optional activities and/or evening restaurant outing and
collect money. Make sure everyone has enough water.
When about 15 kilometres from destination give a short briefing about
the next site, its facilities and nearby places of interest. Point out
toilets, shower/wash block, laundry, kitchen, camp office, take
away/restaurant, bar. Point out nearby features (beach, lake, woods,
hills). Make sure driver has enough fuel for the next day.
On arrival at the site check in at reception, check on opening times of
facilities and any site rules to pass on to group. Ask group to unload
the bus and put up tents
Phone local guide for next day’s excursion – arrange time and place to
meet. Check on anyone unwell. If going out on evening excursion give
short briefing about suitable clothing, what to expect. Remind group
to take cameras and related equipment. Repeat time and place for
meeting. Give anyone not going on excursion the names of restaurants
and directions on how to get there, or food shops/other eating
options.
Before everyone goes their own way make sure everyone knows the
next day’s departure time.
Go to reception to liaise with camp staff, find out if there are any
nearby festivals, shows and so on. Set up your own tent. Get ready for
night out with group. On your return read through your notes for
tomorrow, write up your daily report and note any reminders for the
group/yourself.
With Prince Leonard, Hutt River Province, Western Australia
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HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Sixteen:
Travel light!
Everest Base Camp
Do take:
Light, durable clothing:
Shirts with zip-off sleeves at elbow and armpit, and side zips
Zip off trousers – both at knees and calves
Underwear
Two sets of each item above is enough (one to wear, one to wash),
apart from a couple of extra pairs of socks (comfortable thick ones
don’t usually dry quickly)
Make sure underwear can be washed and dried overnight at room
temperature
Lightweight wash bag that can be hung up
Travel towels – one large, one medium
Boots (wear boots to travel in rather than making your bag heavy with
them inside)
Comfortable walking shoes and/or sandals
One ‘evening’ outfit – for women, a long sleeved top (mosquitoes come
out at dusk) with high neck and long skirt or light weight trousers; for
men, lightweight trousers, long sleeved shirt
Light weight fleece
Breathable waterproof (preferably one which compresses small) which
covers head to ankles (water dripping onto your knees can be very
uncomfortable)
Casual outfit: T shirt, shorts
Scarf, hat and/or bandana
Gadgets: camera, adapter plug, ziplock packing bags, head torch
(invaluable), waterproof liner for back pack, waterproof packing bag
for wet washing, compact personal medical kit, padlock, travel alarm
clock (don’t rely on your mobile cell phone – it may not work or you
might forget to recharge it), phone and camera chargers, travel
washing line
Toothbrush, dental floss or wood sticks
Playing cards, book/s, travel guides, all tour documents, phrase book
if you don’t know the local language, small notebook to carry in hand
baggage with pen – in it write down important telephone numbers in
case you mobile doesn’t work or the battery doesn’t charge, small
photos of loved ones (you may feel lonely and homesick, though not
for long – you’ll be too busy!), your personal music player loaded with
your favourites
Passport – with plenty of blank pages, in date for at least a month
after the tour ends, with all necessary visas, health insurance (may be
provided by your employer – check) document with emergency contact
numbers. Leave a photocopy of your passport with family or
trustworthy neighbour, and take a copy with you
Currency – enough for first 24 hours
Sunscreen, repellent, after bite gel, sunglasses (and spare pair),
prescription glasses and spare pair, copy of all medication
prescriptions including eyes, water sterilising tablets
Good quality, durable water bottle
Possibly sleeping bag if camping or in places where hygiene standards
aren’t reliable
Tour Leader’s essential kit (see chapter 8)
Now you see why you won’t have much room for clothes!
Don’t take

valuable jewellery or watches (buy a cheap -but reliable - one
for duration of tour), anything of personal value




real leather bags (they attract thieves)
anything made of glass or in heavy packaging
large bottles or pots of toiletries – you can buy most things on
location (and usually cheaper) But take enough for your comfort
for the first few days as you may not have time to shop straight
away. Whatever you can fit into the hand luggage liquids
allowance will be enough for two days
electric razors or other electric items (the voltage may be
different, the power point a different shape). Battery operated is
fine but take enough batteries in case you can’t find the right
ones on location
Don’t forget to
 make arrangements for your pets
 tell your credit card company where you’re going (or your
card may be declined)
 call Head Office for last minute instructions/updates
Hang gliding over Rio de Janeiro
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HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Seventeen:
What you’ll be doing while you’re away
Here are the main headings you’ll find in most tour guide job
descriptions




Liaise with local operators – transport, restaurants, hotels,
attractions
Book transfers to & from airports/ferries/train stations etc
Check hotel rooms/ standard of coaches, etc
Explain safety procedures






Organise excursions – book, collect money
Liaise with Head Office
Write reports & keep accounts records/receipts
Give daily briefings – what to do, what to take, money needed,
meals
Give talks about destination – wildlife, culture, history,
geography, etc
Deal with any problems/emergencies
Sounds simple, doesn’t it?!
You could be in a foreign country or just down the road from your
home – depending on what type of tour guide job you have. My
material is designed for those of you who want to work accompanying
tours around a country or state, from the very beginning to the very
end of the tour. This may even mean being on the same outward
flight, coach or train with your group. In each place you visit you may
also be assisted by a local guide – a specialist in the history,
geography and customs of that particular place. Your job is to oversee
all the travel and accommodation arrangements for the duration of the
tour.
You will be in for some surprises. Communication may not be as
readily available, fast or easy as you’re used to, and you may feel out
there on your own. That’s precisely what you are paid to be: if the tour
company didn’t need you to be there acting as decision maker, you
wouldn’t be. You’ll need to ‘think on your feet’ many times throughout
the tour. Don’t share your apprehensions with the clients – they have
paid to be on holiday, not to worry about whether the bus will turn up
on time. You might know the driver isn’t sure of the route, but don’t
share that concern with anyone else!
If you are from the USA and working abroad for the first time, bear in
mind that the USA is quite a new country. You may be stunned to find
that there are no stores handy, no TV in your room (or no English
channels) and perhaps a shower in the same tiny room as the toilet. If
you’re from the UK you may not find tea made the way you’re used to,
and breakfast may consist of just a biscuit or cake. And if you’re from
the Antipodes – sorry, there may be no Vegemite!
If you as the Tour Leader feel a little disorientated, imagine how your
group might be feeling. You at least have had the benefit of this ebook, your freezine and Tour Guide Course, plus whatever training
your employer has given you.
Most of the time the tour will run so smoothly you’ll feel like you’re on
holiday yourself. A well planned tour run by an operator with lots of
experience and expertise about the area is a joy to be part of. Don’t be
complacent – almost every tour has one potentially tricky situation,
one awkward customer, one hopeless local guide to mess up your
plans. And that’s when your training takes over. It will be a delicate
balancing act between the wants of the group and the boundaries set
by your employer. Never undertake a change in itinerary, activity,
transport or accommodation unless you have to.
Stromatolites, Western Australia
Prayer Wheel, Tibet
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HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Eighteen:
Difficult clients
Lava field, Galapagos islands
Even difficult clients have the right to receive the holiday advertised,
and to expect a good holiday. If you can see that no one wants to sit
next to a particular client, talk to them about their interests and try to
find some common ground between them and the rest of the group.
Shy people don’t always want to be forced into ‘having fun’. Let
everyone develop their confidence at their own pace.
Be supportive and ready to listen. However at no time neglect the rest
of the group, nor your duties as the tour guide!
Here are a few examples of difficult clients:
Question: Miss A has recently broken up with her boyfriend. She has
come on tour to have fun, and is determined to ‘pull’ a man – any
man. The bus driver is a bit of a flirt but you know he is married with
three children. Miss A makes it quite clear to him (and you) that she is
offering him sex for the duration of the tour. What should you do
about this?
Answer: Nothing. Miss A and the driver are adults. Only if the driver
cannot do his job properly have you any right to interfere. You are not
their counsellor, mentor nor parent.
Question: Mr B is extremely shy and finds it very hard to integrate
with others, especially ‘men’s men’. The rest of the single men in the
group are hard drinking, fun-loving lads, who expect Mr B to join in
their bawdy jokes and drinking games. Mr B comes to you one evening
and tells you he doesn’t want to get involved in the other men’s antics
and asks you to tell them. Should you agree?
Answer: No. He is a grown man. If he doesn’t want to join in he can
tell them. If however the others start pressurising him and spoiling his
holiday you could tell them he is uncomfortable and request them to
leave him alone.
Miss C is a very intelligent and attractive young woman. She is bright
and successful in her career. However she has no confidence and ends
up in a different man’s tent every night on your overland camping tour
through Africa. One day she tells you she has slept with a man she
met in the campsite bar and fears she may have contracted AIDS from
him. She asks you to go to the clinic with her. Will you go?
Answer: Yes. Despite her behaviour she is frightened about a health
issue and needs your support. You could accompany her to a clinic
but do not comment on her behaviour nor the potential consequences.
Maintain your position as group leader.
Zip wire from Great Wall, China
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Nineteen
Scenarios – challenging situations
Scenario A
You are in a country which has recently recovered from internal strife and where,
occasionally, there are outbursts of violence. You departed from your hotel this
morning and have stopped for refreshments/shopping in a small village en route. You
have arranged to meet your group at 12.00 midday to depart for the next destination –
a village about an hour’s drive away – where you will have a group lunch.
There are two women missing at the rendezvous point at 12.10. These two women
have been a few minutes late for every departure so far, three days into the tour.
Part One. What will you do first? When you have considered you answer, go to Part
Two.
***************************
Part Two. You decide to ask the group to regroup in 30 minutes, pointing out a nearby
café where they can pass the time. Assuming you have checked the hospital and
police station, left a message with details of how to get to the next village at your last
hotel, have searched the local shops and waited 40 minutes already, what would you
do now? When you have considered your answer, go to Part Three.
***************************
Part Three. The correct answer is to leave the two women behind and continue the
tour with the rest of the group, despite the potential danger to the two women
concerned. Do you know why?
1. The group have already waited 40 minutes. Any longer is unacceptable
2. You have a duty to deliver the itinerary described in the tour brochure
3. You need to set an example to everyone that lateness will not be tolerated
Scenario B
You are hiking from one mountain village to another. You stop for a rest in the shade
of some trees, but one of your group slips and falls down a shallow gully. After
checking you can see that his leg is broken. It will take an hour to walk back down to
the beginning of the walk and it is another half hour walk to the next village. It will be
dark in 45 minutes.
You have porters carrying the main luggage – framed back packs - and the group are
carrying day sacs.
What do you do?
***************************
Administer first aid, and make a splint for his leg using a tree branch. Make a
‘stretcher’ using wood from the trees or frames from the back packs, and ask one of
the porters to take the victim down while you continue with the group to the next
village.. When you get to the next village, phone his insurance company’s emergency
helpline – they may ask you to call an ambulance to meet him and take him to
hospital. (If you have a mobile with you so much the better, you can call
immediately). If you can, visit him later in the tour (he may have been repatriated so
check first).
Scenario C
You are walking through a Chinese town on the way to see a theatre performance
when one of your group stumbles over a bollard and cuts his shin. Although the cut is
not deep, it is bleeding. As this is a social outing you decided not to carry the first aid
kit. What do you do?
***************************
First, ask the group to stay together and wait at the nearest suitable place (e.g. in the
shade or shelter, away from traffic…).
Go as quickly as possible to the nearest café/drinks vendor/restaurant and ask for
some ice. Use a scarf or similar to hold the ice against the leg to stop swelling and ask
the casualty to keep his/her leg raised. Bind the wound. If necessary, ask someone to
accompany him/her back to the hotel in a taxi.
Scenario D
As you are about to set off on a long journey in the tour bus, one of your group
complains of feeling nauseous. How do you deal with this?
***************************
Clear the back seat, make sure he has plenty of water and get him to lie flat. Cover
with a light blanket as his body temperature might drop. Find out if he has taken any
medication to treat the symptoms, in case you need to call emergency assistance later.
Check on him at the next comfort/fuel stop.
***************************
During the check you notice lobster- red blotches and a few blisters on your client’s
neck. On closer inspection you can see signs of severe sunburn. What do you do now?
***************************
Head for the nearest hospital or clinic. If possible, cover the skin with a cold damp
cloth. Give plenty of water – to be taken in sips, not gulps – as he could be
dehydrated. The blisters indicate second degree burns. Ask the driver to take the
group to a café while you accompany him to hospital. Return to the group as soon as
possible – even though this is a medical emergency you cannot keep them waiting
indefinitely.
With Bernard Allison, Chicago
With Luis Krug, Lencois, Brazil
Skydiving over Namibia
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HOW TO GET A JOB AS A TOUR GUIDE
Twenty:
Experience
My tour leading background; why I travel; your own travel
experience – are you ready for the best career of your lifetime?
My tour leading experience
Organised and led school tours in Europe
Deputy leader of ski trips for teenagers and adults
Organised and led tailor-made tours for families and small groups of
adults
Round-the-world backpacking trip with my children
Numerous independent journeys
Employed as adventure tour leader, group leader and coach tour
manager
Dragon Boat race, Yangste river, China
Why do I travel?
I guess this is one of those ‘if you need to ask, you won’t understand
the answer’ questions. I can tell you how it started, and how one
journey changed the direction of my life.
I took part in a school exchange to Germany when I was 14. My
German teacher had to plead with the headmistress to let me go: I was
so badly behaved I was not considered ‘fit to represent the school’. I
hadn’t been outside of the UK, so I was excited and a little nervous. It
was the journey itself that thrilled me: the lumpy crossing on a rusty
Channel ferry, the overnight hostel – awake till late giggling with my
friends then waking every hour to the chimes of the adjacent church
bell on the hour, every hour. And then the train! Pulling slowly out of
tatty towns, rattling past windmills, meandering rivers, shimmering
lakes, watermills, grazing cattle, fields of grain, hedgerows, sturdy
plane trees, meadows bursting with poppies and tulips…And as for
my first glimpse of mountains...! I was hooked before the three-week
exchange even started.
I was made very welcome by my pen friend’s parents, but the food
they served for my first meal made me ill: buttermilk to drink and hot
boiled beetroot to eat. I spent the night fretting about breakfast, but
gave it up when offered warm rye bread and ham.
During that holiday I danced with a man who wasn’t a relative, I
watched adults singing and dancing and linking arms, steins of frothy
beer in their hands, grinning as they swayed from side to side. I slept
in a pretty pine bed covered by crisp white lace over a wine-red sheet;
I gazed out of the window at high-roofed detached houses and tall
pines covering the hills behind.
Already, I was intoxicated by travel. The journey, the sights, the
smells, the people, the music, and even the food (I got used to
buttermilk) – all delighted me. I was entranced, and cried till my body
ached when it was time to get on the train back home three weeks
later. I held on to a pretzel as a souvenir and kept it intact for nearly
five years.
I had been a failure at school up to that time, but that trip changed
everything. I decided that if I could speak better German, I could go
back to Germany the following year. And while I was at it, I may as
well try harder at French too.
My future career was founded then – languages and travel. Many
years later I am still grateful to that German teacher!
Crevasse, Franz Joseph Glacier, New Zealand
Your own travel experience
You don’t have to have travelled widely but it will certainly help if you
have. The experience of getting yourself around in a foreign country is
invaluable – and doing a guided tour won’t give you that experience.
Far better to take off on your own and look up routes, timetables,
accommodation, restaurants, and so on. Nowadays it’s so easy using
the internet and there are countless sites to help you. You’ll find some
of these on my website on the ‘Links’ page.
Although you don’t have to have travelled widely, you will almost
certainly need to have travelled independently. This means sorting out
your own arrangements. You can use a travel agent to help with
bookings but you need to be able to put all the elements of your trip
together yourself.
You could start by arranging your own ‘side trip’ as part of an
organised itinerary. For example, you could stop off on a train journey
and spend a night or two in a town en route to your final destination,
then re-board and continue. Long haul flights often offer ‘stopovers’ in
places like Singapore or Dubai. Take advantage of these to see new
places (as well as to have a rest from being in an aircraft).
Look up travel brochures and magazines, blogs, forums and websites
to get ideas about where to go and what to see, then choose your
destination and start making your plans!
Photo: Horse riding near Lencois, Brazil
Your very first journey alone
If you are a real beginner to travel, begin by going somewhere fairly
close to home. You can learn a lot from just one journey to a nearby
city, county or state. The basics are the same everywhere: you need to
find out how to get there, where you can stay, what there is to do and
see, and how much this all costs. Then find out where you can get
tickets, entrances, accommodation and transport. Finally look up a
few restaurants near your accommodation before you go, in case the
hotel can’t recommend any. ASK people - local people, people who’ve
already been there, friends of friends, travel agents…..anyone you
think can advise you. It’s trial and error at first – some of the advice
will be invaluable, some useless. WRITE down all names, telephone
numbers, email addresses, website urls, schedules and
opening/closing times, plus journey durations (you don’t want to
arrive in the middle of the night, for example). MAKE NOTES of
helpful people, places you liked, companies, restaurants and
accommodation you’d use again. You now have the beginning of a tour
leader’s personal dossier – you never know when you might need it.
Organisation is a vital tour directing skill; it’s a good idea to have
separate sections in your dossier for transport, accommodation,
eating, sights, contacts, and so on. Even after my tenth visit to the
same area in Europe I was still making notes about new places in my
personal dossier.
Next time go further afield, and when you’re confident – go abroad,
and remember to take your passport!
Now it’s up to you! Good luck and happy travels!
Photo: New Delhi, India
www.tourguidecourse.com
‘He can who thinks he can’
Orison Swett Marden (and my Dad)
Written by Maureen Moss
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Diploma in Reading Development
Certificate in Teaching English for Business (Distinction)
Association of British Travel Agents Advanced Certificate