REVIEWER IN TGS2
Elements of Tour Guiding
- needed in tour guiding
1. Communication skills
* Tour guiding - form of public speaking.
* Do commentaries - expound ideas (refers to narration
skills)
* Narration becomes more attractive when
accompanied
w proper verbal and nonverbal cues.
* 2 types of communication
- verbal
- nonverbal
Verbal communication
* Use of sounds and language to relay a message.
* Vocabulary, tonality, rate of speech, pronunciation,
articulation.
A. vocabulary - it is best to work on their VOCABULARY
and PATTERN his or her explanations based on the
profile of the tourists. it is also important to be
MINDFUL of the choice of words.
B. tonality - tone of voice that has impact on engaging
the audience when speaking. tour guides must AVOID
monotone.
C. rate of speech - moderate speech rate is NOT TOO
SLOW and NOT TOO FAST. it is really important that the
audience is able to COMPREHEND the announcement or
commentaries. rate of speech is also COMPLEMENTED
BY TIMING. appropriate pauses must be done especially
when emphasizing an important idea.
Nonverbal communication
* Involves any form of body language, gestures, and
facial expressions
A. eye contact - making and maintaining eye contact is
important when doing commentaries to tourists. most
POWERFUL tool of a speaker in exuding CONFIDENCE,
showing SINCERITY, gaining RESPECT, project
AUTHORITY, and ultimately PERSUADING audience.
B. gesture - one of the best accompaniment or even
alternative of the spoken word. normally movement of
the hands and arms.
C. facial expressions - STRONGEST in all nonverbal cues.
creates countless expressions like happiness,
excitement, passion, and sincerity that are important in
relaying message to guests. it also projects boredom,
anger, and sadness but these expressions are NOT
necessarily needed to show during tour guiding. it
SHOULD BE SYNC w what the tour guides say.
2. People skills
* Build rapport w their tourists. starts w communication
from the time they meet their guests. by the end of the
tour, tour guides have already built relationships.
* In building relationships certain elements must be
present. these include being diplomatic, polite, friendly,
patient, positive, sensitive, caring, tactful, and ethical.
* They show genuine concern for other people and
normally energetic.
3. Knowledge and skills
* EDUCATION is a component of travel
* Learning is achieved when tour guides are competent
and knowledgeable. they do it by RESEARCHING and
BEING UPDATED on the latest information and by
attending seminars and interaction w other tour guides.
* Tourists are well informed because their guides are
great source information. (e.g., weather)
* SAFETY is another component of travel. it is highly
recommended that the tour guides are knowledgeable
of first aid and hazard preventive measures.
* Tours can be inbound or outbound.
* Knowledge also involves knowing what to do in certain
situations. tour guide remains ALERT YET CALM and
proves to be a problem solver.
4. Organizational skills
* It involves more than just paper work. it involves TIME
MANAGEMENT as well FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.
* Having a good organizational skill is about making the
best use of your time.
* Tour guides must know how to MULTITASK.
Self-confidence
* It is something that is felt by a person towards himself
or herself where he or she trusts his or her own abilities,
character and individually, and personal opinions or
judgement.
* Tour guides must have their own dose of self-
confidence.
* Having self-confidence is achieved w a proper
alignment of the mind and body.
- ways on how to build self-confidence
A. positive affirmations - tour guides face the mirror,
recites w conviction adjectives and qualities that he or
she wants to have or become.
B. smile and laugh - the tour guide may also consider
taking some time to think of people, scenarios, or
thoughts that make him or her smile and laugh.
C. be prepared - most IMPORTANTLY, tour guides should
come prepared for the tour. less distractions and
worries; more confidence and feel proud.
D. confidence boosters and exercises - few shakes,
stretches, and simple warm-ups are some of the
physical routines that may boost confidence level. when
the muscle is warmed up, the whole body including the
mind are relaxed.
Customer service
* Offers the same set of principles of service as w any
business that deal w clients and guests.
* It starts w having the right kind of attitude towards the
job and knowing exactly what the job requires.
* In tour guiding, customer service means providing
remarkable assistance to the tour guide’s clients not
only during the tour, but also even during the time of
travel and even after the tour has finished.
- Elements of great customer service
A. respect - it is important to REMAIN POLITE if
customers appear to be demanding. when complaints
arise, it is best to treat them w kindness.
B. understanding - important characteristics involves
may morals such as considerate, thoughtful,
sympathetic, accepting, appreciative, tolerant, and
supportive.
C. listening - it is skill too that tour guides should learn
to master. it involves not just the ears, but the eyes and
heart.
D. taking action - simply means responding positively.
ONE OF THE BASICS of customer service deals w ethics
or doing what is morally right.
E. serving - this element encompasses all the other key
elements. in tour guiding, tour guides must realize that
customers are extremely important in their lives.
Do’s and Don’ts of Tour guiding 2. Master the speech

1. Be truthful. * Does not entail memorizing every line but

2. Be reliable and punctual. Never be late. understanding each message.

3. Be precise with details. * Also means knowing the speech from its structure,
sequence, transitions, and even timing for humor.
4. Be natural when doing commentaries.
* Also means knowing when to get back on track when
5. Be friendly but do not be too familiar.
lost.
6. Be kind but firm.
* In most public speeches, teleprompters, slide
7. Be fair.
presentations, and script papers are HELPFUL SUPPORT
8. Be creative. in speaking.
9. Be grateful. 3. Practice
10. Be organized. * There is no other way to achieve perfection but
11. Be positive and patient. through practice.

12. BE considerate and sensitive. * Success is reachable through a “perfect effort.”

13. Be tactful. Never be rude. * Successful public speakers have run through their

14. Build rapport with tourists. speeches several times and have poured out their
“perfect effort” to be entirely and confidently ready for
15. Maintain good relationships with suppliers.
that big day.

* Using a mirror, recording oneself, and getting an

Information and Commentaries
audience are TOOLS in achieving perfection.
What is public speaking?
4. Take care of your voice
* Fundamental element in tour guiding.
* Drink plenty of water
* Means addressing the crowd, engaging w an audience,
* Avoid caffeinated and alcohol drinks
and delivering a message.
* Get enough rest
Techniques to bring out the best of a tour guide’s
* Munch on some chips
speaking abilities:
* Aim for balanced diet
1. Socialize
* Do not smoke
* Exposure to events, people, and organization is an
EFFECTIVE way to start the speech preparation. * Do not stress your vocals

* join speech clubs, such as Toastmasters International 5. Visualization or Imagery

is an IDEAL WAY of mastering one’s speaking ability. * One should vividly exactly what he or she wants, have

* Socializing adds to a person’s network. an unwavering faith, and imagine that it has been
received.
* Before the speech, the speaker should VISUALIZE
himself or herself to be PERSUASIVE and CONFIDENT,
and feel that the audience are nodding and applauding.
6. Breathing
* Breath is the CORE OF SPEECH.
- simple steps in performing diaphragmatic technique
(belly technique, stomach breathing or abdominal
breathing)
• Stand up straight in front of a body mirror and
turn 90 degrees to the right.
• Turn your head facing the mirror.
• Place your right hand on your upper chest and
your left hand below you rib cage (abdomen
area).
• Take a medium deep breath and direct the air
towards the abdomen area or stomach. Your
abdomen should be pushing your left hand
outwards and the right hand on your chest
remains still.
• Tighten your stomach muscle as you exhale
slowly, emptying the air in the abdomen area.
Your left hand on your chest should remain as
still as possible.
• Repeat the process until you get comfortable
breathing through your belly.
• Practice this breathing technique while
speaking. You will notice improvement with
your resonance and projection while you speak.
Pointers in Delivering Commentaries
1. Aim for an organized train of thought
* create a POWERFUL and ATTENTION GRABBING
opening lines in speeches and tours by asking questions
and citing facts, stats and trivia.
* Create a POWERFUL ENDING by inspiring and
influencing the guests w some sayings or quotations.
(e.g., always remember take nothing but pictures, kill
nothing but time, leave nothing but footprints and bring
nothing but only memory.)
2. Tell a story, leave a memory
* Adapting the power of story concept helps in
narrating.
* The tour should also be convincing, ceremonial, and
unpredictable.
- types of public speaking:
A. Ceremonial speech
* Given during occasion, which includes wedding and
graduation speeches, toasts, eulogies, formal events,
and many others.
B. Persuasive speech
* Meant to convince or call for action.
* Is done during sales presentation, political campaigns,
religious talks, and other membership talks.
C. Informative speech
* A discourse which is meant to give facts and data.
* This happens during conferences, seminars, product
updates, business meetings, and during tours.
D. Impromptu speech
* An on-the-spot type of speech.
3. Communicate your thoughts well
* Fluency and accuracy in language is good, HOWEVER,
if the tour guide commits considerable mistakes in the
language but they are able to send their message across
and they are understood, the communication has
transpired.
* As much as possible, tour guides must pronounce
names and important terminologies PROPERLY.
* Clarity of words and coherence w the message are
vital in communicating a comprehensible commentary.
4. Ask questions
* Have you ever experienced...? (To a participant)
* Who among you are...? (To the crowd)
* Do you have any idea why this place is named...? (To
the crowd)
5. Spice it up w humor
* Humor ENTERTAINS and PREOCCUPIES the guests.
* According to Anthony L. Audrieth, “Professional
humorous speakers do not just tell jokes. They use
humor to effectively illustrate their message.”
* Be CAREFUL when and how to use jokes. they should
NEVER be racist, dirty, sexist, discriminating, and most
importantly NOT demeaning.
Roles of a Trainee
What is OJT?
* OJT means On-The-Job training
* It is a HANDS-ON application of the theories learned
inside the classroom to an actual workplace.
* It is also known as internship or practicum.
* OJT is beneficial to both company and student trainee,
but much more to the student trainee.
Benefits of OJT:
1. the OJT experience INCREASES employability rate.
2. the trainee may be ABSORBED immediately by the
employer after graduation.
3. internship is a TRAINING GROUND for the future
career.
4. OJT is an OPPORTUNITY to network.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Student Trainee: (Dole’s
Region VI OJT Manual)
1. an admitted student trainee SHALL ABIDE by the rules
and regulations set forth by the institutions, company,
office where he or she is undergoing OJT training.
2. the student trainee should always observe DISCIPLINE
and RIGHT CONDUCT.
3. the student trainee SHOULD NOT engage in gambling,
illicit activities, drinking alcohol, and related activities
while at work or within the institution.
4. the student trainee MUST observe punctuality and
attendance in reporting to his or her assigned area.
Training methods of On-The-Job trainees:
1. Coaching
- task-oriented
- coach is an EXPERIENCED staff who HELPS trainees gain
knowledge and skills of the job.
- there are varied processes that are taught, and the
trainee is given demonstration and instructions.
- this method is SHORT-TERM as teaching lasts as it is
needed.
2. Mentoring
- relationship-oriented
- the mentor GUIDES and HELPS the trainee.
- gives MORE THAN JUST PROFESSIONAL HELP but may
also offer PERSONAL SUPPORT.
3. Job rotation
- trainees are given the CHANCE to work in the
DIFFERENT departments of establishment.
- the trainees become more ADEPT in the other jobs of
the employees within the organization.
- this is beneficial to the trainees as they get to LEARN - a document duly signed by the school’s authorized
varied tasks, since they can experience them. personnel CONFIRMING the qualification of the student

4. Buddy system trainee to undergo the OJT program.

- makes use of a buddy or partner who can TEACH the - it requests the establishment to accept their students

trainee, observe, coach, and answer queries. as their trainees and to assist them go through their
practicum.
- a quick answer may be provided by the partner IN
CASE a relevant question arises. 2. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

- working alongside w a colleague OFFERS MORE - referred to as Cooperative Agreement.

OPPORTUNITY for learning as the trainee can observe. - written between parties to cooperate on an agreed

Acceptance of OJT trainees: upon project or meet an agreed objective.

1. accomplishment or corporate social responsibility - it outlines the role and responsibilities of all concerned
parties.
2. absorbing the trainees after the training
3. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. partnership
- written overview of a person’s experience and
4. business opportunity
qualifications.
Evaluating performance during OJT
- it summarizes the applicant’s credentials and includes
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS ACCEPTING OJTS FOR
personal info’s, contact details, educational background,
TOUR GUIDING:
skills, trainings attended, and character references.
• Travel Management Companies
Other requirements:
• Museums or Wildlife Sanctuaries
* Parental waiver - duly signed by a GUARDIAN.
• Department of Tourism
* Daily time record - time record of work rendered w a
• Local Tourism Offices partner institution.
• Adventure Sites and Nature-Based Attractions * Journal - refers to the daily tasks accomplished, and
• Other Establishments learnings acquired.

- (MICE)

- Amusement Centers Areas of Evaluation:

- Themed Parks A. Guiding Techniques

- Historical Landmarks 1. Leadership

- the students tour guide LEADS the way and WAITS for

Requirements for Tour Guiding OJT Program: the most of the guests before during commentaries.

1. Deployment or Endorsement Letter - gives instructions CLEARLY and POSES authority and
confidence.
- the tour guide MANIFESTS control and situation - STG is proactive and anticipates needs of guests.
awareness all the time. - he/she DOES NOT need to be told what to do and is
2. Assembly and boarding dependable and reliable.

- the student tour guide gives appropriate greetings and 2. Courtesy

introduction. - STG shows respect, kindness, and sympathy to his/her
- does head count and oversees boarding and de- superiors, peers, guests, and the suppliers.
boarding of guests. 3. Open to constructive criticism
3. Presentation of commentary - STG DO NOT react violently when given criticism.
- the quality and quantity of knowledge shared is instead, he/she considers it as an opportunity to
SUFFICIENT. improve herself.

- tour guide’s delivery of topics is also ORGANIZED and D. Professionalism and discipline
WELL-LINKED to each other. 1. Proper attire and grooming
B. Skills - STG is properly attired for certain activity or tour.
1. Communication skills - good hygiene and proper grooming is also EVIDENT.
- STG (Student Tour Guide) manifests both verbal and 2. Proper use of language
nonverbal communication skills.
- STG’s use of language is appropriate.
- engages w the guests through eye contact and body
- using slang, racist, dirty, or rude language is NOT
language.
EVIDENT.
- he/she is articulate, has extensive vocabulary, and
- messages are delivered in a diplomatic, tact, and
speaks audibly.
positive manner.
2. People skills
3. Attendance & punctuality
- STG builds rapport w clients.
- STG maintains a clean record of attendance w no
- he/she is also friendly BUT not too familiar w the absences or tardiness.
guests.
4. Compliance w company’s guidelines
- he/she is a TEAM PLAYER.
- STG have NO violation of the company’s rule,
3. Organizational skills regulations, and guidelines.
- STG accomplishes reports and other tasks in a NEAT E. Job performance
and ORGANIZED manner.
1. Quality of tasks
- he/she meets deadlines and manages time well.
- STG’s output on a given assignment is very satisfactory
C. Work attitude and behavior and accurate.
1. Initiative and reliability - he/she shows good judgement and attention to details.
2. Willingness and ability to learn TESDA Certification Requirements:

- STG shows enthuse to learn by listening genuinely and
asking valid questions.
- he/she shows diligence and can grasp information
EFFECTIVELY.
3. Service excellence
- STG prioritizes guests needs well-being over oneself.
- he/she shows love for work and see no problem in
extending hours of service w the company, as needed.
• Duly accomplished application form
• Properly and completely self-assessment guide
• Three (3) colored passport sized pictures
• Other requirements required by the assessment
center or schools.
TESDA Certification:
* Upon submissions, the assessment fees MUST be
settled at the assessment center’s cashier.

* Applicants undergo the assessment and if they’re

Training Certificate of Completion proven or be competent, the Competency Assessment

What is a training certificate? Result Summary (CARS) shall be released at the

assessment center.
* Certificates are generally a person’s PROOF OF
RECOGNITION AND ACCOMPLISHMENT of a certain * The National Certificate II (NC II) or Certificate of

training, activity, course, or award. Competency (COC) is released seven working days after
the assessment.
* It is like an ARMOR securing the applicant he/she is
armed w an acquired skills and credentials.

* It indicated the TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS that the

trainee has completed, and the rating given by the
company.

Requirements for DOT Accreditation:

• Proof that the applicant has passed a seminar for tour

guides duly conducted by the DOT and other agencies
duly authorized by the department.

• Certificate of good health issued by any accredited

government physician.

• Clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation

• Mayor's Permit or Municipal License

• Latest Income Tax Return document

• Other documents that may be required by the

department.