Communication Principles in Tour Guiding

Communication principles in tour guiding
Why is communication in tourism Important?
The nature of tour reception and guiding makes the first impression of tourists play a very
important role. Receiving tourists is just like receiving guests at home and this is why the
guide must show the best without boasting or overdoing what he or she is aiming to
express. Guiding is obviously not simply telling them “to your left, to your right”, there is a
whole lot more into it to consider. The tour guide is an individual who, either as an
employee or affiliate of a properly licensed travel & tour agency is in charge of human
beings, and all the respect and attention towards the visitors is due.
Key aspects for Colombian tour guides:
The qualities of an effective tour guide involve a great love and respect for his/her own
country so that he can be able to share this love to the visitors. A pleasing personality is
another key element simply because a tour guide must be likeable not only by a few kinds
of people but the public in general, and here the social skills of the guide are of upmost
importance.
That person must have a genuine interest in people, interest in talking with everyone from
his/her heart and not only because of the job. Resourcefulness comes second in a long list
of skills to have when being a guide. It is also vital to be truly trustworthy to connect
properly with tourists. Tactfulness is another key to communicate properly what must be
said each time. Good sense of leadership must be the guide’s guide to create and enhance
good communication skills in every ground of tourism available, specially outside in
natural environments like the ones Boyacá is always promoting and showing as its main
attractive for visitors besides culture in general.
Sustainable tourism in the Colombian scene:
When talking about the qualities of an effective tour guide within our Colombian context,
people find vital the visible good health of the leader, punctuality of course to do what is
needed, both responsibility and sensibility altogether to create right atmosphere around
participants and guides. This person must be dedicated confident to direct other people
towards a single and common objective. Good sense of humor is also important because a
good mood can solve conflicts by its own use when combined with analytical mindset and
an above-normal perception of situations to be always ahead and ready to solve every
sort of stressful and annoying situation for both guides and visitors.
Strategies for a successful communication process in local tourism
- Inside the duties and responsibilities for guides we must highlight the need of provide
visitors with accurate information and explanations about the place, always highlighting
what is good but honestly without prejudice or exaggerations about the truth. The guide
must always follow a neutral perspective yet filled with hope and positivity. This way he or
she ensures a factual presentation, make sure to distinguish the truth stories, legends,
traditions, among others. As a result, the guide will act fairly and reasonably in all dealings
with colleagues and co-workers, always acting with tact and diplomacy while dealing with
the guests.
- Always report for duty healthy and positive, never taking advantage of the ignorance of
the tourists, never allowing oneself to be used by unscrupulous organizations who want to
take advantage of the tourists by any possible way. The use of common sense and being
honest by saying “ I don’t know,…I will check,..” is a humble way of making sure that none
of his/her moves as a tour guide will be wrong executed.
- Ensure guest’s safety, warn them on important issues like the following: plants that
might cause some allergies, food and drinks that might not suit their digestive system,
elevation for those with vertigo and fear of height, dogs that might bite, and the presence
of pickpockets in crowded areas as well as all the necessary safety recommendations.
- Protect the reputation of tourism by making every assignment a treat, with respect to
the environment, wildlife, sights and monuments, local customs and traditions. Act
responsibly as representative of the country and the local people.
- High communication Skills: language proficiency, avoid using highfalutin words, use
simple, easy to understand words, try to get rid of regional accent as possible to ease
dialogues, using synonyms to explain, to describe something, using non-verbal
communication in a difficult scenario or situation.
- Another communication Skills like speaking audibly, not too soft and not too loud,
conduct your commentary in a relaxed, entertaining manner.
By mastering English, the lingua franca of tourism, a guide may be able to overcome every
single situation in his path to become a leader, a partner, and possibly a friend of those
who came to enjoy the view, landscapes and territories and also get the opportunity to
meet great examples of the warm and enjoyable Colombian people in between.

Communication Principles in Tour Guiding

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Communication Principles in Tour Guiding

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Communication Principles in Tour Guiding

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Communication principles in tour guiding

Why is communication in tourism Important?

Key aspects for Colombian tour guides:

Sustainable tourism in the Colombian scene:

You might also like