Chapter 3 (Principles and Ethics of Tour Guiding)

1. Explorers

2. Elite Travelers

3. Off-beat Tourist

4. Unusual Tourist

5. Incipient Mass Tourist

6. Mass Tourist

7. Charter Tourist

8. The Group Traveler

Classification of Travelers

EXPLORERS

• These are participant observers who travel alone or in very small groups

• They do not require special tourist accommodations or attractions and therefore offer little or no threat to the local residents.

ELITE TRAVELERS

• They can afford to spend much to have unusual travel experience.

• Like the explorers, they are few in number and therefore pose little or no threat to the local population.

• Unlike the explorers, they demand some degree of comfort in amenities

OFF-BEAT TOURIST

• they travel alone or in very small numbers.

• They avoid crowds, other tourists, and typical sightseeing.

• They adapt well to local lifestyles and amenities and pose few problems to local residents

UNUSUAL TOURIST

• They demand more amenities and also

• look for unusual, adventurous or primitive experiences.

INCIPIENT MASS TOURIST

• They represent business and vacation travelers.

• They usually travel individually or in small groups and demand Western-style amenities.

MASS TOURIST

• They are large groups of middle–class travelers who visit popular sites and also demand Western-style amenities.

CHARTER TOURIST

• They arrive in large groups, generating a large volume of business but often demanding impersonal and standardized services.

• The impact on the local region is great.

• In order to accommodate these large numbers, tour operators must offer name tags and little one-to-one interaction with visitors and locals.

Mass and charter tourist

As the number of tourists increased, different expectations come up, more facilities are required to handle them, and more stressful contacts between hosts and guests take place.

__________________ are so concerned with having Western style amenities that they place an undue strain on local economies, environment and cultures to provide these services.

Mass and charter tourist

This contributes to the eradication of the region’s unique lifestyle. Since tour guides depend upon and interact with _____________, it is important that they understand the impact of mass tourism on both travelers and local people

THE GROUP TRAVELER

Millions of people prefer group travel to travelling alone. Comfort, safety, education, economy, companionship are the primary reason why people opt for group travel

THE GROUP TRAVELER

offers the easiest and often the only way to gain access to some places.

THE GROUP TRAVELER

_______________ at present include families, extended family reunions, corporate travelers, association executives, association members, clubs, affinity groups, school groups, university and alumni groups, people with disabilities, foreign and domestic travelers joining groups, business and incentive groups

1. Student Groups

2. Business Travelers

3. Incentive Travelers

4. Family Travelers

5. Senior Citizens

6. Clubs or Affinity Groups

7. Public Tour Groups

8. International Travelers

TYPES OF GROUP TRAVELERS

STUDENT GROUPS

are popular in some regions especially in historic places or in places that lend themselves in some way to the curriculum of the school

STUDENT GROUPS

Practically every provincial capital destination for regional school groups. The same is true with cities which have zoos, fine museums, historic homes and other educational attractions.

STUDENT GROUPS

who travel in groups usually fall between the ages of 11 and 17. Occasions for student group travel include senior class trips, safety patrol trips and trips related to specific curricula topics. There are several challenges in working with students. It is important for teachers and guides to establish clear ground rules and require discipline among the students

STUDENT GROUPS

Many guides allow accompanying teachers to set the organizational and disciplinary tone for the tour since as chaperones, their primary duty is the safety of the students. In addition, teachers are more familiar with the curriculum, the school's regulations and the learning levels of the students. All these factors establish the tone of a student tour.

STUDENT GROUPS

It is expected that the guide will conduct the tour at the level of understanding of the students rather than that of the adults.

BUSINESS TRAVELERS

include those who are visiting a region to conduct business such as sales, research, meetings and conferences. For guides and those involved in tours and sightseeing planning, the important thing to keep in mind about business travelers is that sightseeing is usually secondary to their trip

BUSINESS TRAVELERS

are usually interested in an overview rather than on in-depth tour. In reality many _____________ are regular travelers and may be pressed for time or are looking for assistance in seeking a city or region on their own. In the case of conventions, tours are usually brief and structured and are generally pre-arranged by meeting planners

INCENTIVE TRAVELERS

These are business-people who were given trips by companies as a reward for their accomplishments or to motivate them to achieve more than what is required. These people visit an area principally for pleasure. The field of _____________ is highly competitive and specialized. Most _____________ are contracted through incentive houses which have high standards of service

FAMILY TRAVELERS

• is increasing.

• Catering to families is becoming a trend within the tourism industry.

• Organizing tours for families is an interesting challenge because interpretations must appeal to two or more or sometimes three generations.

FAMILY TRAVELERS

In conducting tours with parents and infants with toddlers, interpretations should be directed towards the adults.

As the children become older, the guide directs commentary to them, ask them questions, encourages them to talk about what they know and what do they want to know about the area

FAMILY TRAVELERS

Although it may seem awkward for some guides to speak on the level of a ten years old child, parents are generally comfortable with this arrangement since they are accustomed to view places through the eyes of their children

SENIOR CITIZENS

The characteristics of older people reflect those of human nature as a whole. Some characteristics are favorable; some are unfavorable.

SENIOR CITIZENS

The most common are the following: demanding, slow, patient, impatient, repetitive, punctual etc. many guides find senior citizens to be the groups of choice. Younger senior citizens participate in some of the most active adventure – oriented tours while other senior citizens often prefer more passive, leisurely tours.

CLUBS or AFFINITY GROUPS

• These groups usually have a common interest.

• They are generally enjoyable when the values or interest of the group coincide with that of the guide.

• These groups are usually.

PUBLIC TOUR GROUPS

• The only element participant in a public tour have in common is that they decided to visit the same place at the same time.

• Since these individuals are usually not acquainted, the first and the most obvious challenge for the guide is to interpret to a diverse group of people and attempt to unite the group.

PUBLIC TOUR GROUPS

This can be an exciting challenge for the tour guide – to interpret points of interest in which all members of the group can relate. If done effectively, it can serve as a means for uniting the group

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

Since travel is now attainable for a great number of people throughout the world, ______________ are more prevalent in every country. The characteristics of multi – cultural groups are a more dynamic, informative and rewarding experience both visitors and guides.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

The rise on international travel communications has produced a great amount of literature, theory and advice about how to better understand and work with international travelers.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

Interpreting the different customs, body language and personalities of people through out the world can be very confusing.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

• Most often, an innocent comment or gesture can alarm or offend visitors.

• Those who work with international visitors should know the customs and behavior of their guest in such areas as greeting, punctuality, gift giving, dress, gestures and general protocol.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

In addition, they should observe and understand people throughout the world at their most fundamental level –their values. Although hidden from view, values represent the core of the person

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

The most fundamental aspect of relating to people from other countries is to understand and appreciate their values and the best way of doing this is to explore another’s values as they contrast with one’s own.

1. URBAN TOUR GUIDES

2. GOVERNMENT GUIDES

3. Driver Guides

4. Specialist/ Adventure Guides

5. Docents or Volunteer Guides

6. Local Guides

7. Courier or Escort

8. Linguist

Types of Tour Guides

URBAN TOUR GUIDES

• Those who take pleasure in telling the story of a city or region.

• Most ______ are freelancers who contract their work on a tour-by-tour basis although some of them are employed by some large agencies on a full-time basis.

GOVERNMENT GUIDES

They are the guides employed by the local or national government to show the nation’s most important histories, cultural and political policies to visitors

DRIVER GUIDES

• They conduct tours while driving motor coaches, vans, or cars.

• Coaches are equipped with free-standing microphones, which allow drivers to drive and speak easily

DRIVER GUIDES

Hiring ____ is more economical for tour companies and they provide a more personalized service;

it is less safe since both driving and guiding require concentration;

it decreases manpower because instead of hiring a driver and guide, the guides do two things at the same time and that is to conduct tours while driving motor coaches, vans, or cars

it is not very informative because the driver must remain with the vehicle and is unable to conduct walking tours or tours inside buildings.

SPECIALIST/ADVENTURE GUIDES

• Include mountaineering guides, bicycle guides, fishing guides and rafting guides.

• The work of an adventure guide develops from a serious devotion to a sport or activity.

• Guides especially component in particular subject or field of interest;

• Ex: spelunking, architecture, arts, scuba diving, mountain climbing, bird watching, photography

DOCENTS or VOLUNTEER GUIDES

They are working in visitor centers, museums, historic houses, churches and other places that people usually visit.

LOCAL GUIDES

They are competent to conduct tours in a given area or locality, building or attraction, also called as on-site guides

COURRIER or ESCORT

• Meet members of a tour on arrival and make introductions

• Organizing correct baggage transfers

• Accompanying parties in transits and assuring safe arrival

• Promoting and arranging optional activities

LINGUIST

Guides who are fluent/proficient in the language of the tourist and has good working knowledge of their custom, tradition, and even types of meal required

The leader

The educator

The public relations representative

The host

The conduit.

Tour Guides have identified roles which are required in varying degrees depending on the nature of the group and situations.

These 5 roles are:

 Punctual  Pleasing personality  Must have a genuine interest in people  Resourcefulness  Trustworthy  Tactfulness  Good sense of leadership  Good communication skills  Responsible, sensible and dedicated  Confident  Good sense of humor Knowledgeable Outgoing and Approachable Confident Proactive Flexible Sincere Well-groomed Sense of Humor Sensitive Good Communication Skills

Personal qualities of an effective Tour Guide