Tour guides relate with the people around them to inform, clarify, to promote, to build relationships, and to evaluate the service they provide.

To inform

It is the tour guide’s duty to inform the guests of the tour schedule; where the tour group is going and at what time, what to wear, what to bring, and what to expect. Tour guide informs the guest about the tourist spots and places of interest, their history, and significance.

To clarify

Tourists come from different cultural backgrounds, and as such, meanings, symbols, and pronunciations may differ and affect communication. As a tour guide, part of his or her role is to break those barriers and promote understanding through clarification. Paraphrasing and repetition are two of the means to ensure that the message is understood.  A bridge remark can also be used to encourage response.

Questions on preference are examples of a bridge remark, such as, “Do you like _______?”

To promote

A tour guide does not only represent oneself but the company and the country as well. Promotion is necessary to improve the guests’ perspective and help them plan their next visit, and in the process, help spread the benefits of tourism as well.

To build relationships

As a tour guide, you will not only interact with your guests. It is also your duty to liaise with tourism suppliers as well as your colleagues in the travel trade. Effective communication helps build lasting interpersonal relationships with customers, colleagues, and suppliers. This is important to sustain tourism activities.

To evaluate the service

Collecting feedback from guests is important because this will serve as basis for improving services. There are several ways to get feedback. Aside from filling out a feedback form, responses may also be fathered simply by asking questions about the guests’ interests and whether their expectations are met during and after the tour.