You are about to embark on a journey to an unknown or previously visited area. But how do you know you’ve visited the location and unlocked all of its secrets? Whether you prefer to travel alone or in groups, stick to what’s in your pocket guidebook, or explore in search of surprises, hiring a professional, trained local guide is one of the keys to a memorable holiday.
When you first start as a tour guide, we all make mistakes, and the worst thing is that we often don’t see them! That’s why ourguider.com brings this article about how the traveler hired the wrong tour guide and the most typical blunders tour guides make when they first meet their groups of travelers.
7 Reasons you should hire a professional tour guide:
Why is this the greatest option for all travelers? Here are seven reasons to hire a professional, trained tour guide:
1) Quality: You will get thorough and accurate information. Every certified local guide has undergone proper training and is qualified. The local authorities accept this local expert qualification.
2) Authenticity: Who better than a local to provide you with the greatest recommendations and addresses? Local guides generally reside in or frequently visit the area where they operate, making them an excellent starting point for learning about the local culture and people. They will quickly propose the greatest spots to visit, dine, and hang out.
3) Adaptability: Being a tour guide entails having a variety of interests, allowing you to build a program to a person’s demands, physical conditions, time constraints, and hobbies. If you’re interested in architecture or mythology, the trip can concentrate on one of these topics. It is also feasible to venture off the usual path, visiting abandoned ruins or other locations away from the people.
4) Accessibility: comprehending and being understood. Official tour guides have credentials and degrees in the languages they speak. This helps to prevent misunderstandings and misinterpretations. They are also used to communicating effectively based on the sort of visitors.
5) Safety: In the event of an emergency, a local guide will be able to communicate with the relevant authorities, know what to do, and understand the norms to follow. When you work with a professional, you don’t have to worry about getting scammed. Every area you are escorted to or asked to visit on your own has been thoroughly verified.
6) Sharing: A tour is a discussion. Not only will you learn something new throughout the trip, but you should also feel free to ask your guide any questions. Your guide may also learn something new from you, tell more about local life, and point out parallels or contrasts between your hometown and another area you’ve visited.
7) Social Responsibility: Being a tour guide is a serious job. Choosing a professional tour guide means helping the local community to further their education and work where they live, all while supporting the local economy.
Traveler hired the wrong tour guide: Common tour guide mistakes (and how to prevent them).
Before the tour.
- Don’t look at the weather prediction; will it rain today? Perhaps it would be helpful to inform tourists that the trip has been altered and will continue despite the rain. You might also suggest that they wear comfy clothing, etc.
- Dress poorly: If you are well-dressed and appear sharp, travelers will value your time more, giving you more credibility and allowing you to make more money.
- Forget to drink water: for two hours or more, you will talk virtually nonstop, causing your throat to dry out. We recommend that you always carry a bottle of water with you!
- Not knowing how to alter your route: You must be familiar with your city’s streets and layout. Perhaps one day, several of the roads or pathways you use on your journey will be closed, forcing you to swiftly adjust your itinerary to avoid getting lost.
At the start of the tour.
- Look down on yourself: during first tours, many guides seek sympathy from passengers to make them more forgiving by stating that it is their first tour, that they are not experts, or that they have only been in the city for a short time.
- Forget to ask tourists to notify you if they need to depart before the end of the tour: At the start of the trip, ask the tourists whether they will need to depart before the finish. This allows you to better plan the trip (you won’t have to seek for them) and ensure that you receive your cash.
- Not to mention the notion of a free walking tour, which is dependent on each guide. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t bring it up, but if you do, make it entertaining.
- Wait for latecomers. You can wait an extra 5 minutes by asking passengers who are already there whether they mind waiting a few minutes. However, they may believe that they are squandering their time. Ideally, you should begin your first explanations at the meeting location so that latecomers may readily participate. You may also share your location directly with them via WhatsApp, so they always know where you are without having to call.
During the trip
- Avoid mentioning sites that may cause discomfort (e.g., rubbish smells, busy areas, noisy water fountains, heavy traffic).
- Mentioning that you forgot to say anything: this may happen to anyone: we’re discussing something and forget to speak a part of it. In most circumstances, the traveler will not notice, so you may say it naturally later or skip saying it entirely. However, in all circumstances, it is crucial not to inform passengers that you forgot to explain something, as this appears quite unprofessional.
- Turn your back on travelers: this might happen when you’re expressing something. Keep in mind that if you turn your back on them, they will not hear you well and may conclude that you do not care about them.
- Walk in a hurry: While you must adhere to the tour schedule and avoid delaying the trip, it is essential to conduct the tour in a leisurely manner and not rush from one location to another. Travelers should stroll at a comfortable pace. Furthermore, if you walk too fast, it increases the risk of travelers losing you along the way.
- Forget to leave time for photographs or questions: it’s occasionally a good idea to set aside 5 minutes to snap pictures at a well-known location. You must always announce it before explaining the location; otherwise, many people will take photographs as you speak, causing you to lose their attention.
- Begin explaining when the entire group has not assembled: If you begin discussing your stop without waiting for the complete group, some will miss a portion of your remarks, confusing their understanding of the entire speech and potentially frustrating travelers.
- Explaining while walking is not recommended since it is difficult to be heard, which may be quite annoying.
- Do not chat with travelers: When they stroll from one location to another, many leaders lead the group without listening to anybody until they arrive at the next destination. Do not do this! Use these opportunities to sympathize with them and build a relationship with them, which will boost their interest in your trip and the money you earn.
At the end of the journey.
- Not having a nice ending: this is the most essential part of the tour; you must thank the tourists, let them know how amazing their time with you has been, provide recommendations for what they may do later, and remember that they will write you a review, always with a good sense of humor.
- Do not ask for feedback: especially if these are your first trips, attempt to discover what passengers loved best and least. There are always things to improve. If you receive multiple such remarks, you might want to consider adjusting anything.
Working as a tour guide is ultimately about sharing culture. An excellent tour guide is someone who can readily transmit the information and significant features of their location. Convinced?
