*CHARACTERISTICS AND GOOD PERSONALITIES OF A TOURIST GUIDE*QUALITIES OF AN IDEAL TOUR

GUIDE

1. ENTHUSIASM - - guides should show interest for the subject matter and the travellers. This is usually
accompanied by friendliness and generosity.2. AN OUTGOING AND APPROACHABLE NATURE- since
guides are working for strangers, it is important that they be friendly, open in many types of situations
and encourage others to do the same.3. SELF-CONFIDENCE- combining self-esteem with experience. This
enable guides to carry on their tasks effectively, to put people at ease and to help create
enjoyableexperiences.4. PROACTIVE NATURE- this means to initiate change and the willingness to
assume responsibility for initiating change.5. SENSITIVITY- wide range of human understanding.6.
FLEXIBILITY- ability to be adaptable and patient.7. AUTHENTICITY- being genuine and honest.8. A
PLEASANT, PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE- First impressions are often lasting and are frequently based on
one’s physical appearance.

9. SENSE OF HUMOR- this can bring people closer together, put them at ease and help make travel
enjoyable instead of stressful and unpleasant.10. KNOWLEDGE- a well-rounded body of knowledge is
very important. It is essential that the guides investigate the local educational programs of each
region.11. GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS- this is the ability to communicate well. This includes
articulation, eye contact, gestures, and a clear pleasant speaking voice.12. ORGANIZATION- time
management and organizational skills are very important.13. DECISIVENESS- a guide must be able to
make quick decisions.14. GOOD HEALTH- guiding requires great exertion.15. PERSONAL INTEGRITY- a
strong sense of ethics is essential to success.16. CHARISMA- it is defined as personal magic of leadership
arousing popular loyalty or enthusiasm. It is the combination of many traits that a guide should possess.

SEVEN SINS OF SERVICE:

1. Treating customers with apathy. 2. Brushing customers off 3. Being cold to customers 4. Treating
customers with condescension 5. Working like a robot 6. Getting hung up on the rule book 7. Giving the
customers the “run-around”

WORKING WITH DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS

Students-the number of student trips is increasing considerably and because of that the possibility of
dealing with them will also increase.

Senior citizens -senior citizens are the favourite age groups of guides. Senior citizens are generally
appreciative, curious, interested, attentive, eager for experience, and willing to contribute their own life
experience. Guides should keep in mind the following when guiding senior citizens:1. Allow extra time
for the tour.2. Pause frequently.3. Be particularly attentive to fatigue or any sign of stress or illness.4.
Pay close attention to special medical problems.5. Always repeat instruction.
DEALING WITH DIFFICULT QUESTIONS

a. Questions on which a guide does not have an answer.

Appropriate answer is “I don’t know but I’ll find out.” The guide can then use his free time to look up
the answer or consult someone else. Another solution is to say “I don’t know. Does anyone else know?”.
This will give a chance for others to participate.

b. Questions whose answers are controversial-these are about politics, religion, local scandals or
pending criminal cases. The suitable responses to this include:

“That’s being debated here. Some feel and others believe”. Another tactic is to return the question:
“what do you think?”

c. Questions that are too personal- examples are “how much money do you make?” or “why don’t you
have any children?”

For questions regarding salary and working you may say “the salary range for guides in the Philippines is
from x to y” another is “I prefer not to answer that.”

CROSS-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

1. Learn about the people and cultures of the world. Through media, literature, school and meeting
neighbors and visitors from different countries, one can learn much about the values, habits and
preference of others.2. Travel. This can be one through eating their foods, walking in their streets,
listening to their music andetc.3. Learn a language. It is an expression of interest in other cultures.
Learning basic expressions such as welcome, thank you, please or May I help you.4. Participate in
specialized cross-cultural training.

Qualities of a Successful Speaker

Tour guides are principally public speakers and must have the ability to communicate in the effective
way. Therefore it is important that guides have a basic knowledge of speaking techniques and an
awareness of the impression that they show to travelers.In general, people are attracted to speakers
who are enthusiastic, natural and comfortable with their audience, their topic and themselves. A
spontaneous relaxed style draws listeners while an unenthusiastic or tense drives them away. According
to Reverend Jesse Jackson, a master speaker, “Nervous speakers make people nervous.”

How does a person overcome the fear of speaking before a group? Speaking at ease requires feeling at
ease. One of the most important factors to feel at ease in front of a group is to be prepared. Preparation
is not to be confused with memorization of speeches which is the usual habit of many guides. Thorough
preparation increases a speaker’s confidence and makes sure that he is comfortable with the subject.
Good presentations entail plenty of hard work and practice. Another important factor in combating
nervousness is to have a sincere desire and interest to share a subject with the group. Finally,
experience will definitely help develop confidence in speaking. With practice, guides discover that they
need less time to prepare for each tour and that they enjoy each tours than fear them. In time, most
guides gain confidence, overcome nervousness and become more relaxed, spontaneous and effective
speakers.

Body Language

The body is an effective communicator with a language of its own. Body language which includes
postures, movement, gestures, eye contact and dress has a greater force than the spoken word. When a
speaker sends mixed messages, listeners will believe what they see rather than what they hear.

Posture

Posture shows much about a person’s self -esteem, health and level of interest in his surroundings. The
ideal posture is erect but relaxed. The advantages of good posture include more efficient breathing,
better health and appearance, increased energy and a stronger, clearer voice. To achieve an ideal
posture, a person should stand or sit up, hold his head high and inhale deeply. Proper posture allows a
general feeling of relaxation.

Body Movement and Gestures

Gestures such as the movements of the body, face, and hands are strong communication tools. Nervous
movement and unnatural gestures can diminish the trust people have in a guide. Repetitive movements
or gestures can be very distracting. People tend to focus on body movements when receiving mixed
messages.

Eye Contact

Eye contact is one of the most important speaking techniques. Several experts suggest that speakers
should look at every member of an audience, which a guide can easily do during tours. Making an eye
contact is difficult for the new speaker who has many things to keep in