The Five Stages of Tour Guiding Services

For easier recall, let us divide the pointers into five segments:  pre-tour, first day, daily routine, last day, and post-tour.

Pre-Tour Checklist

1. Find out what tours have been assigned to you (the tour guide). Some companies provide a briefing to tour guides while some provide client information and itinerary via phone or e-mail.
2. Review the list of passengers, accommodation, and special arrangements.
3. Familiarize yourself with the itinerary and the places that you will visit.
4. Check if any special event will occur during the tour.
5. Consult your superior to confirm or make clarifications.

First Day Checklist

1. Report at the meeting place at least 30 minutes early before the estimated time of departure (ETD) for day trips, and one hour before ETD for multiple-day trips.
2. Familiarize yourself with the place; know where the toilets and stores are.
3. Introduce yourself.
4. Check the voucher.
5. Make sure the guests feel welcome and comfortable.

A tour voucher is a sheet of paper that confirms what the tourist has paid for. Here is a sample:

Daily Checklist

1. Report punctually.
2. Greet the guests and inform the group of the day’s schedule.
3. Inform the guests about free activities and events, if any.
4. Assist the guest when they step in and out of the bus for safety reasons.
5. Whenever the guest step out of the bus, inform them of exact time to return (e.g., instead of “after 30 minutes,” say 8:30 AM).
6. Be at the meeting place before the guests.
7. Count the guests to make sure they are all present before leaving.
8. Confirm appointment during spare time.
9. Before you part for the day, thank the guests. Inform them of the next day’s schedule as well as the exact time of departure if it is for multi-day tour. If you cannot meet them at the end of the tour, send notes to their hotel rooms.
10. As soon as all the guests left, check if any items has been left behind.

Last Day Checklist

1. Ask how they feel the tour, and distribute the feedback forms and collect them.
2. Offer other tours for their next trip.
3. Say goodbye and thank the tourist for the participation.
4. Check the bus to ensure that no personal property has been left behind.
5. Hand a bus driver a gratuity git or tip and thank him/her for his/her service.

Post-Tour Check

1. Thank those who supported you: clients, suppliers, and co-workers.
2. Prepare a report to the company concerning the outcome of the tour and expense.
3. Make recommendations to improve the tour and company services when possible.

Thing to Bring To the Tour

1. Business card
2. Pen and stationery
3. Adhesive bandage
4. Bottled water
5. Lozeges or mint candies
6. Plastic trash bags
7. Swiss knife (unless you are flying)
8. Spare microphone
9. Flag on stick
10. Your mobile phone and power bank
11. Cash

The tour guide must bring a pen and stationery for use in case a guest is celebrating his/her birthday or anniversary. It also doubles as notepad if needed. Another item that should be brought to the tour is adhesive bandage. Although most tour buses and attractions have first aid kits, it is better to be prepared. However, never give out medicines.

A flag on a stick is not necessarily a flag. It is a tool used by a tour guides so that the tourists will be able to follow them even in crowded areas. In the photo, the guide’s flag is a stuffed animal.