Presenting Yourself
Tour Guiding and Interpretation
By Dannya Sadanandhan
Dannya Sadanandhan,
Adhoc Faculty,
Central University of Kerala
Introduction
Tour guiding is an interactive activity in which a tour guide meets a tourist or a
group of tourists, and takes them to a place called a tourism destination or a
tourist attraction.
A Tour guide engages tourist in commentary about the place.
He connects his clients with the past of this place (like history of Agra),
presents USP and specialties about region.
He also recreates a story as per the demand of the situation.
Tour Guiding and Escorting
Tour guiding and escorting is one part of tourism industry that adds to the
tourist experience.
Eric Friedheim(1992) wrote that “guiding,counsiling and harbouring traveler
are among the world’s earliest vacations”
In present times tour guiding and escorting are one of the lucrative and at the
same time complex job.
Many a times the terms Tour guide and Tour escort are used interchangeably
but they are different.
Who is a Tour Guide ?
Guest can be individual or a group and the tourist guide will,
lead the guests for sightseeing, shopping, etc. and be aware of the timings
of opening and closing of the monuments,
knows routes and means of travel to the sites selected, provide safety not
only to the Guest but also to the host community and tourist site,
give information about the sites and destinations to the tourists in an
entertaining manner, like in the form of stories and legends; and
at least be bilingual to connect with the guest/ visitor as well as
communicate with locals.
Who is a Tour Guide ?
According to World Federation of Tourist Guide Association (WFTGA),
"Tourist Guide is a person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and
interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area which person normally possesses
an area — specific qualification usually issued and / or recognized by the appropriate
authority"
Who is a Tour Escort ?
A Tour Escort is someone who escorts visitors at a public place such as a
museum or an art gallery, or at sightseeing and recreational tours. They are
typically responsible for accompanying the visitors.
According to World Federation of Tourist Guide Association(WFTGA), "a
person who manages an itinerary on behalf of the tour operator ensuring
the programme is carried out as described in the tour operator's literature
and sold to the traveller/ consumer and who gives local practical information
is known as Tour Manager/ Tour Director / Tour Escort".
Difference between Tourist Guide and Tour Escort?
Tourist Guide and Tour Escort are two terms often used in the similar vein. Yet there exists a subtle
difference in the job description of both, as well as recognition by appropriate authority.
Guide means you're following them and they are leading When we use the word Escort, it means that they are
you following behind you, or watching over/ protecting you
Tourist Guide is someone who takes people on sight-seeing Tour Escort on the other hand 'is a person who
excursions of limited duration manages a group's movements over a multi-day tour'
A Tourist Guide is a licensed professional A Tour Escort may or may not be a licensed
professional
A Tour Escort is the person who accompanies the Tourist / A Tour Escort is the person who accompanies the
tour group all through the Tour whereas, a guide is Tourist / tour group all through the Tour
someone who may or may not accompany the Tour Group /
tourist throughout the tour depending upon his speciality.
A Tour guide can be a tour Escort, if required, A Tour Escort cannot be a
guide,without a license.
Importance of Tourist Guide and Tour Escort?
Tour Escorts and Tourist guiding are very critical component of the tourism value chain
and play an essential role in ensuring repeat tourist visitation
Tour Escorts and Tourist Guides act as ambassadors of the destination/ region/
country since they are the first to meet and welcome tourists and they are often the
last ones to bid farewell to them when they leave the country.
In between during the travel, tourists are in regular touch with the Tour Escort and
Tourist Guide and go back home with an impression about destination based on their
interactions with the Tour Escort and Tourist Guide
Depending on the interaction and services received from the Tour Escort and Tourist
Guide, the guests will return home as a satisfied or dissatisfied customer.
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THANK YOU
