Perform Pre-arrival Preparations/Activities

The tour guide must report to his/her employer regularly to find out his/her tour assignments. When assigned a tour, the tour guide must learn and understand the profile of the guests and the inclusions of the tour program (i.e., accommodation, tour and meal inclusions, etc.,). The tour guide must call suppliers (i.e., hotels, airlines, bus companies, restaurants, tour attractions, etc.,) to ensure that reservations are properly coordinated for the group. The tour guide must be familiar with the places that the tour group will visit; if not, he/she needs to do an ocular before the tour. He tour guide must know the points of interest as well as common areas like toilets and stores. The tour guide must also know if there are special events happening in the area during the tour.

Arrival Procedures

The tour guide must report at the meeting place at least30 minutes before the guests’ estimated time of arrival (ETA). Upon reaching the meeting place, the tour guide must check if the guests are arriving on time, such as by checking the status of the bus/train/airline arrival. Upon tourists’ arrival, the tour guide must welcome the guests, introduce himself/herself properly, and check the tour vouchers. Then, the guide must usher the tourists to their coach and on to their itinerary.

During the Tour

The tour guide must report at the meeting place, at least 30 minutes before the estimated time of departure (ETD) for day trips, and one hour before ETD for multiple-day trips. The tour guide must check the land transportation prior to the tourists’ arrival to ensure that it is in good condition. Upon the tourist’s arrival, the tour guide must introduce himself/herself properly and check the tour vouchers.  The tour guide must make sure that the guests feel welcome and comfortable. The tour guide must reiterate the day’s schedule and provide general information about the country/city and its culture, as well as the information on free activities and events in the area. The tour guide must always assists the tourists when stepping in and out of the bus to ensure their safety, count them to make sure no one gets left behind, and provide the specific meet-up point and time of departure to avoid wasting time waiting for tour participants. The tour guide must use his/her spare time reconfirming tour appointments/reservations, and never sleep while in the company of the tourists. The tour guide must also ensure that guests’ complaints and requests are addressed properly. At the end of the tour, the tour guide must thank the guests and inform them of the next day’s schedule, and exact time of departure at the pick-up point.  The tour guide may also request for feedback about the tour to help in further improvement. The tour guide must remind the tourists not to forget to take their valuables with them. When the tourist have left, the tour guide must double-check if any personal property has been left behind.

Departure Procedures

The tour guide must report at the meeting place at least 30 minutes before the guests’ estimated time of departure, say at the hotel lobby.  Prior to this, the tour guide should have checked the status of the guests’ transport schedule to ensure that the bus or airline is leaving as scheduled point. Upon meeting the guests at the lobby, ensure that their belongings are complete and they have their travel documents. Assist them in checking out and usher the tourists to their coach and on their departure point.

Perform Post-departure Activities

While tour guide must ensure the safe departure of tourists, they must also strive to maintain a warm relationship with their colleagues and suppliers. One way is to share gratuity with the driver, and thank him/her for his/her services. Another way to thank suppliers is to endorse them to future guests. The tour guide must also prepare the post-tour report to the company concerning the outcome of the tour, expenses incurred, and recommendations to improve the tour company services when possible.  

Dos and Don’ts in Tour Guiding

Punctuality is the first sign of professionalism.  When a guide is at the meeting place ahead of the tourist, it means that the guide values the tourists, the business, and the profession. Sticking to the schedule benefits everybody in the tour group and underscores the credibility of the guide’s instruction.

When a tour guide makes proper preparations, guide can focus more on the delivery of services to the tourists, with less worry.  Prior preparation means being familiar with the destination and anticipating the tourists ‘needs. Prior preparation includes a briefing from the tour company about the tour group and their itinerary, an ocular or familiarization visit prior to the actual tour, and genuine acts of thoughtfulness such as putting oneself in the shoes of the tourists.

Nonetheless, there are times when unexpected this happen. Sometimes, tourists do ask questions that the guide is unable to anticipate. Be honest to admit what you do not know, and be prepared to ask a friend or the authorities for help. The final lesson in the course tackles managing such risks and unexpected situations.

Tour guides should be kind and patient. They should always be cordial and pleasant all the time. They must not show exhaustion or irritability, especially to the tourists.

Tour guides must take care of themselves properly. Their body their best asset; thus, they must know when to stop and rest. Overindulgence on food and alcohol, and too much exposure to the sun, wind, dust, and other elements may harm one’s health. Walking and standing for hours are also part of the tour guide‘s job. Hence, tour guides must have the discipline, wear proper attire, and use voice amplifiers when needed.

Tour guides must also take care of the tourists and their needs. Selling souvenir items or local currency may be impolite for the tour guide to do on the first meeting but there are instances when this becomes necessary, especially in remote areas where such services are not available. Tour guides must be sensitive to the cultural backgrounds and needs of the tourists to serve themselves.

Lastly, tour guides must know when to stop taking and allow the tourists to rest and appreciate the attraction on their own and interact with other tourists. Encourage guests to participate but never allow them speak on the microphone.

These dos and don’ts on tour guiding are restated through the ten Commandments of Tour guiding to help aspiring tour guides remember how to presents themselves.