 A good tourist guide is not only a person who perfectly knows general information on geology, history, culture etc. but also that man who can involve the tourists into his story, make the tourists interested in everything in the place of residence.
That’s why a tourist guide is not only a historian or arts critic but erudite, well educated person in all spheres of life. What the main qualities of a good guide? He is presentable and of above average intelligence, is able to plan, organize and manage, ready to be a leader, responsible, has a sense of humour and lots of patience. When the guide presents the country to the guests he should have great love and respect to the country and its government. You need to be a good diplomat and nice interlocutor. Also you need to be a nice self-confident public speaker. And one of the most important condition – the more languages you know, the greater your work opportunities.
A tourist guide course is designed for anyone working in or interested in the tourism industry. It is created to teach future guides how to describe tourist destinations properly and how to motivate visitors to explore and experience them. Courses focus on the professional standards, presentation skills and customer service. A course also contains a tour practicum.
A tour guide is to lead a group of tourists to different ancient, mysterious or just interesting places in the country for the purpose of sightseeing excursion, adventure, recreational, or business, convention, education and other activities normally undertaken by tourists.
This profession is very interesting but hard and comprehensive at the same time. It is challenging because you meet people from different countries and cultures. You are to be aware of historic events and current situation in the world. But it is a great opportunity to learn different cultures and enjoy traveling. That is what most people dream about.
A tourist guide course contains several modules:
1. Introduction to the profession of the guide.
This module is fundamental. It contains an explanation of the unit standards and how to become a registered tourist guide. Information on being a tour operator, booking essential, venue advised on booking is given.
2. Basics of tourist guiding.
This module defines the role, rights and responsibilities of the tourist guide within the framework of tourism industry. Time is spent on communication skills and guiding skills in particular and there is a broad background to the places of visit as a whole.
3. Practice.
This module consists of several practical tasks and tests for the students. It is based both on the earlier given knowledge and personal participants’ research.
4. Self study.
This module is the most creative and the most fascinating. The students have to offer their own program of tourist trip with short description of the country, historic places, dates and people, including background knowledge about its current government, economy and culture.
In all modules the emphasis is on the practical guiding skills as much as on your knowledge of the area.
Career opportunities:
◊ be a professional tour guide (no age limit);
◊ flexible working hours;
◊ enjoy free travel and attractive income;
◊ a creative way of earning money;
◊ enjoy high standards of living;
◊ employment in demand;
◊ recession free industry.
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