MODULE 1 3.

Eco-Tour – Focuses on ecology or preservation of the

environment. Various types of eco-tour can be availed
TOUR GUIDING AS PROFESSION according to the needs of the guests that involves both
Tour Guide soft and hard activities like hiking, spelunking, bird
watching, kayaking, sky walking, zip line, canyoneering,
In the travel industry, the term tour guide has a precise meaning. They are cultural immersion, and other a lot more.
also known as the front liners. A tour guide is a person who takes tourists on 4. Farm Tour - Visiting to famous agri-farm sites that
a sightseeing tour for a limited and specified duration of time.
involves actual experience of that involves picking,
To define tour guide one will have to consider the amount of work he is harvesting, and planting of farm products and other
expected to perform under the scope of a tour guide’s role which is varied activities.
and in accordance with the provisions of tourist services being requested 5. Museum Tour – A visit to a museum as the main part of
(Guides Inc., 1980).
tour.
An excellent tour guide has the assurance and tact of a diplomat, the 6. Other Specially Arranged Tour – Any type of tour
knowledge of a scholar, the performance of an entertainer, and the specifically designed for tourists based on their need and
organizational abilities of a time management expert (Mancini, 2001). requirement like farm tourism, spa and wellness, agri-
A person trained, licensed and accredited to conduct a tour for a fee tourism, etc.
(Department of Tourism). 7. Pilgrimage Tour – Going to the places of worships,
churches, and religious statues and images are the main
TOUR GUIDE MUST HAVE ASSETS
attraction of the tour.
1. Must be able to present and deliver the information clearly and 8. Private Tour – Participated by an individual, couple, or
enjoyably, with the skills of an entertainer. family, which has the privacy of having their own schedule,
specific itinerary, and private transportation.
9. Seat-in-Coach Tour - Joined by tour members, from
THE COURIER different pick-up points but going to one and same
destination.
In some countries, the tour guide becomes the COURIER with these
10. Technical Tour – Participated by graduating students
tasks to perform which are not part of the tour guiding work, but
related to their field of specialization.
applicable for those who are permanently employed with a
11. Walking Tour – Members have to do a lot of walking to
tour/travel agency.
see the different places of interests in the tour itinerary.
1. Welcoming tour groups at the point of entry or gateway 12. War Memorial Tour – A visit to cemeteries of fallen heroes
(airport, seaport, bus terminal) and dispatching them. during the war.
2. Collecting baggage transfers.
TYPES OF TOUR GUIDE
3. Accompanying group in transit and ensuring safe arrival
and departure to onward destinations. 1. City Guide - Points the different highlight of a city, usually
4. Doing airport assistance through customs (with proper doing this on a coach, van, or any transportion service.
permission from proper authorities). 2. Docent - Guides who volunteer normally for a small
5. Assist in check-in and check-out of the guests. museum or archive for free.
6. Ensure the guests have a comfortable stay in the 3. Free Lance Guide - A person who is not permanently
accommodation, good and convenient transport, good connected with tour/travel agency and paid per trip.
meals and services, etc. 4. Driver Guide - Performs tour guiding while driving.
7. Assist in any changes needed to the room, requests on 5. Indigenous Guide – Usually, a member of a tribe. A native
facilities, meals, etc. of a community who has deep understanding of cultural
background of the people.
THE GUIDE-LECTURER
6. Local Guide - A person competent enough to give
Trends and updates about tourism shape up the industry including the type information on a certain area or locality.
of tourists, motivation to travel, and needs and wants when visiting a place. 7. Naturalist Guide - An expert on natural attractions such as
All these are very important considerations that will affect the service caves, lakes, rivers, mountains, etc.
orientation of a tour guide. What has been taught at school are basic 8. On-Site Guide - Conducts tour for an hour or more at a
theories and principles, but the actual scenarios in the workplace vary specific building, place or site.
accordingly. Therefore, the tour guide should not stop learning. One of the
9. Personal or Private Guide- Service is on call basis for an
means to support an already acquired educational attainment is to enter the
teaching profession, continue graduate studies. It's not only to have a
individual or small group, exclusive tour.
Master’s Degree or a PhD, but to level up in terms of academic requirements 10. Specialized Guide - Skills are highly unique and not many
of an ordinary tour guide. of this type are available.
11. Specialist Guide - Specializes in certain field such as arts,
THE TOUR MANAGER architecture, churches, flora and fauna, mountains, etc.
12. Staff Guide- Permanently connected with tour/travel
This term is used to describe those who are generally employed to
agency and paid per day or monthly basis.
carry out courier and administrative tasks while accompanying a
13. Step-on Guide - A guide who step-on the bus to do the
group on a extended tour of several days, probably over a
commentary about a facility, topic or site.
considerable distance, involving a number of destinations. Tour
guiding comes into picture while visiting a famous attraction. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TOUR GUIDE
THE ESCORT/HOSTESSES
● Provide the guests an information which is a product of research.
This task covers the work of a service provider in reception, ● Avoid opinionated commentaries
gathering, special events such as product launching, soft opening of
hotel, resort. ● Act fairly and responsibly in all dealings with colleagues, suppliers,
co-workers in the tourism industry.
TYPES OF TOUR
● Act with tact and diplomacy in dealing with the guests.
1. Culinary Tour – A professionally guided tour of the local ● Never take an advantage of the ignorance of the guests
and authentic food of destinations.
2. Daily Run Tour – Tour conducted on a regular basis. ● Never report for duty when intoxicated with alcohol.
 ● Be prepared to attend on guests needs and make sure that their ● Earning graduate degrees.
visit will be a good memory to keep.
PERSONALITY REQUIREMENTS
● Ensure the safety of guests.

● Act as the representative of the country and the people. ● A well-rounded personality, high moral, and ethical standards are
personality requirements of a professional tour guide.
● Must possess a total personality with special character traits and

BASIC PROCEDURES IN RECEIVING GUESTS behavior trained to continuously develop the skills of
communication.
CHECK-IN - Make the guests feel comfortable. ● Knows how to perform tasks beyond the call of duty in a given
situation.
CHECK-OUT - Remind the group regarding the time of departure to
avoid delay. VALUES EDUCATION
TRAINING - It is an organized activity aimed at imparting information
● Values formation starts at home. Parents are our first teacher.
and/or instructions to improve the recipient's performance or to
Teachers are second parents. The values inculcated by our
help him or her attain a required level of knowledge or skills and
parents, guardians, teachers and grandparents plays a vital role on
knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. The how we behave.
Department of Tourism conducted a training for tour guides in demand for a
certain area. Some of the topics discussed are: ● Positive influences that we acquired through education and
experience becomes a part of our character as we grow, and build
1. Overview of the tourism industry. our beliefs, and reflects our actions in our daily lives.
2. Trends and updates in the tourism industry
3. Childwise Tourism ● Being a tour guide means dealing with different type of people
4. Philippines as a destination that requires a lot of patience and understanding.
5. Marketing a destination
● A professional tour guide must be honest, kind and respectful.
6. Flora and fauna
7. History and culture
8. Geography, time zones of the earth PEOPLE SKILLS
9. Psychology of tourists
10. Research ● People skills refers to understanding ourselves and moderating
our responses, talking effectively and emphasizing accurately,
ACCREDITATION - A certification issued by the Department of Tourism building relationships of trust, respect and productive
(DOT), that holder is recognized by the Department. interactions.
● A tour guide with excellent people skills has the ability to
● R. A 7160 (Local Government Unit Code of 1991)
entertain guests and make them feel comfortable while on tour.
DOT carried the tasks of training, licensing and accreditation of
tourism establishment and personnel including tour guides.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
● R. A 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009)
''An Act Declaring a National Policy for Tourism as an Engine of ● Language Proficiency - English-speaking country attracts
Investment, Employment, Growth and National Development and foreign tourists.
Strengthening the DOT and its Attached Agencies to Effectively
● Avoid Highfalutin Words - Avoid complex language for effective
Efficiently Implement that Policy and Appropriating Funds
Therefore''. (Authored by Sen. Richard Gordon and Rep. Edgardo communication.
Chato) ● Get rid of Regional Accents - Acknowledge diverse pronunciations
and diction. Enhance understanding through good listening skills.
BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES OF ACCREDITATION WITH DOT
● Use of Synonyms - Use synonyms for clarity. Stress important
keywords for better comprehension.
● Inclusion of company profile on their official website where database
● Relaxed and Energetic Commentary - Conduct commentary in an
related information on all accredited establishment in the country is
made available for the consumption of foreign and local tourist and engaging manner. Tour guide's ability to express ideas impacts
travelers. tour success.

● Entitlement to free posting of marketing collateral materials. TOUR GUIDE AND TOUR MANAGER PERSONALITY
● Endorsement to international and domestic airports for issuance of
● Pre-existing Industry Awareness
access pass to qualified personnel.
● Endorsement to local and foreign tour operators. ● Adaptability

● Technical assistance and access to database information on travel ● Subtle Problem Resolution
and tourism. ● Genuine Interest in people
● Automatic membership with the marketing arm of the DOT.
● Entertainer and Informational
LICENSING - It is issued by the local government unit the effectively
of which is December 31 of each year. This is a mandatory ● Outgoing
requirement and renewal should be done January of every year. ● Ability to handle difficult situation and people.
With grace period given by the LGU licensing committee. A fine is
imposed to those who renew after the deadline. ● Good sense of judgement

CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR TOUR GUIDES OTHER SKILLS REQUIRED

● Enhancement seminars are important to become updated on ● Leadership Skills

trends and issues happening locally and internationally.
● Organizational Skills
● More knowledgeable than the guests in terms of information.
● People Skills
● Entering academic community by doing lectures as industry
● Decisiveness
experts.
QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE TOUR GUIDE

● Love of Country

● People -loving

● Open-mindedness

● Tactfulness

● Punctuality

● Proper decorum

● Humble

● Polite

● Honesty

● Self-confidence
OTHER PERSONAL QUALITIES FOR TOUR GUIDING SERVICES

● Mature

● Able to accept responsibility

● Patient and tactful

● Understanding and acceptance of different cultures

● Good organizational skills

● Excellent general knowledge of destinations and regional touring

areas
● Problem-solving skills and ability to think logically

● Excellent communication and negotiation skills

● Able to cope with the physical demands of the job

SCOPE OF TOUR GUIDES WORK

● Task Variation Based on Tour Assignment - Varied

responsibilities depending on the group composition, profile, and
nature of the tour.
● Consideration of Group Composition – Tasks are tailored to the
characteristics and needs of the group.
● Tailoring Effort to Tour Requirements – The amount of work is
defined by the mental and physical effort required.