VARIOUS ROLES

OF A TOUR
GUIDE
"A tour Guide can make or break the
tour"
Primary roles of a tour guide

According to Kathleen Pond

She conducted a survey and asked guides, employers of guides, and

travelers on tours regarding the primary roles of tour guides, it
turns out that each one of them have a different perception.
 Response of
Tour Operators

• Public relations
• ambasadors
• interpreters
Response of
Travelers

• Companion
• leader
• care taker
• Teachers
 Since the responses are different the 2 respondents agreed in 2 issues

• The guides roles varies, it depends on the setting, the visitor, the purpose of visit and the guide himself.
• One of the characteristics of a guide is the ability to carry out a wide variety of duties and functions
simultaneously.
The 5 roles of a
Tour Guide

Tour guides have 5 identified roles which are required in varying degrees
depending on the nature of the group and the situations, these roles are
interrelated and inseperable
 The leader

It is the most important aspects of a

guide . several tour operators are
worried often with the guides ability to
make people follow rather than their
knowledge
T H E R E A R E M A N Y TA S K T H AT G U I D E A S A L E A D E R M U S T P E R F O R M , T H E
LEADERSHIP SPHERE OF THE GUIDE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING
COMPONENTS

• The instrumental component and the task included therein- navigating, providing special access,
sheperding, and maintaining control.
• The social component which includes tension management, integrating the group, keeping good
humor and morale, and entertaining members of the tour.
In addition, the guide as a leader must have many of the skills required of leaders and managers in
business such as WILLINGNESS TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY, ABILITY TO ORGANIZE AND
MAKE WISE DECISIONS, STRENGHT TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES, AND THE SKILL TO
COORDINATE many administrative task simultaneously
 The Educator

Travel is a powerful teacher, travel

simulates the exchange of knowledge.
tour guides are expected to know more
about history, architecture and
geography.
• In addition, they must be proficient in many other subjects depending on the site or region.
• The other aspects- the affective includes attitude and value information, interest, emotion,
special perspective and insight.
• Within the psychomotor domain fall such aspects as teaching group skills like learning to
perform regional dances and to cook regional dishes.
• In certain places, guides are supposed to
educate visitors about the rules and
regulations to apply the place.

• A guide who strives to give information,

impart values or benefits, teach new skills is
an effective educator.

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The Public
Relations
Representative

The public relations role is

considered the most important
aspect of a guides work.

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• Many countries, business and
organizations employ guides
to spread a message.

• Tour guides are frequently

called ambassadors.
 THE HOST

A tour guide serves as the

entertainer, advocate, mediator,
concierge, story teller.
 QUALITIES OF A GOOD HOST

Presentations are communication tools that can be demonstrations, lectures, speeches,

ENJOYS PEOPLE reports, and more.
SENSITIVE

MAKES PEOPLE INTEREST IN

Presentations are communication tools that can be demonstrations, lectures, speeches,

C O M F O RTA B L E reports, and more. T R AV E L E R S

BRINGS OUT THE BEST

IN PEOPLE

EXTENDS HELP

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Conduit

Being a conduit is also important

in the roles of a tour guide.

It is the most integral to all the

guides functions.
• The guide emphasizes the importance of the visitor, the local culture and the travel experience
rather than his/her performance.

• It is the simpliest yet he most rewarding of all roles.

 SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF
ROLES

I N C R E A S E D B R A N D IAWA
N C RREEANSEESDS I N - S TO R E T RCAUFSFTO
I CM E R A C Q U I S I T I O N
Presentations are communication tools that can be demonstrations, Presentations are communication tools that can be demonstrations,
The various task
lectures, of reports,
speeches, a tourandguide
more. must be fulfilled, these 5 speeches,
lectures, roles are roles
reports, and more.

pertaining to a guides image, these are roles that the tourist expects us to do.

These demands are possible to be worked on as your experience gets higher.

INCREASED SALES S T R O N G E R D I G I TA L P R E S E N C E
Presentations are communication tools that can be demonstrations, Presentations are communication tools that can be demonstrations,
lectures, speeches, reports, and more. lectures, speeches, reports, and more.
Thank you