subject: Being A Tourist Guide Does It Still Make Sense? [print this page] For people who have passion in traveling different places, being a tourist guide is still making sense to them. A tourist guide has to make the tourist spots aesthetically appealing, whether it the narrow and filthy lanes of a historical city or the striking landscape of Himalayas. He has to uphold the cultural traditions and heritage of the place being visited and also talk of social customs, even local superstitions.
However, there are many things you have to consider in order to have a tough character of a tourist guide. That is why there are lots of travel agencies who hire applicants that reach their qualifications. But still there are travel agencies also who accept people that dont reach their demands but can do the task in the same way.
Here are the qualifications needed when you applying for the said position:
Personal Attributes
An outgoing, friendly personality; ability to handle people, verbal fluency, and aptitude for languages are the skill set required being successful in the field. You need to have a thorough knowledge relating to traveling and tourist destinations, business tactics and social etiquettes. Lastly, the ability and patience to help and provide hospitality is a must. One should also have an up-to-date knowledge of available facilities and services in the field.
Recruitment Procedure
The tourism department holds examination that consists heavily of general knowledge, history and culture etc. The candidate should possess good linguistic skills especially verbal along with a pleasing personality. Knowledge of foreign language is an added advantage. The candidates are selected generally on the basis of a written test. The pre-requisite for the test is a graduation degree in any discipline.
Key Skills
Potential employees should be fit and healthy with lots of energy and confidence, be able to work effectively without supervision, possess a calm 'customer focused' manner, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
Foreign language skills are essential. Familiarity and knowledge of key holiday destinations, first aid skills and/or a driving license can also be useful.
Job Prospects
This is a growing field that offers excellent opportunities in the field of tour operations, tour-packages, sightseeing etc. Many employment opportunities exist in this industry. Travel services including tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, restaurateurs transport service providers, adventure and leisure tourism providers, heritage sites and their conservation, manufacture and sale of handicraft items, marketing of souvenirs- all of which needs a degree of professionalism.
These are important things also you must know when you have already your visitors around you:
Taking visitors around cities, religious sites, historic buildings, industrial heritage sites, gardens, museums and other places of interest.
Providing detailed information about a site's history, purpose, inhabitants, architecture, furniture, paintings, ornaments, flora and animal life.
Answering questions and possibly directing visitors to other places of interest and related sites.
In this career, there is no age limit but since there is a great competition in this field then those who have a good educational background as much as possible a related course is highly appreciated. Plus the fact that you really enjoy what you are doing then It will surely lead you to a successful career in then near future.
by: Janice Jones
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