the definition of tourist guide

What does a tour guide do?

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What is a Tour Guide?

A tour guide provides assistance, information, and guidance to individuals or groups of tourists during their travels. Their primary role is to enhance the travel experience by sharing knowledge and insights about the destinations, attractions, and cultural aspects of the places being visited. Tour guides are well-versed in the history, geography, culture, and traditions of the locations they cover, and they use their expertise to educate and entertain the tourists.

Tour guides are responsible for organizing and leading tours, ensuring that the itinerary is followed, and the group stays on schedule. They may work in various settings, including cities, historical sites, natural landscapes, or cultural landmarks. During tours, guides provide commentary, answer questions, and engage with the tourists, creating an interactive and immersive experience. They may also assist with logistical matters, such as arranging transportation, coordinating entry to attractions, and recommending places to eat or shop.

What does a Tour Guide do?

Tour guides bring destinations to life by providing valuable expertise and insights. While guidebooks and online resources can offer information, tour guides offer a unique and personalized experience that cannot be replicated.

Duties and Responsibilities Tour guides have a range of duties and responsibilities to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for tourists. Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Planning and organizing: Tour guides research and plan tour itineraries, considering factors such as the duration of the tour, the interests of the group, and the availability of attractions. They arrange transportation, accommodation, meals, and any necessary permits or tickets, ensuring that everything is well-coordinated.
• Providing information and commentary: A primary role of tour guides is to offer informative and engaging commentary about the destinations being visited. They share historical facts, cultural insights, and interesting anecdotes to educate and entertain tourists. Guides should have a deep understanding of the locations, including their history, architecture, local customs, and traditions.
• Leading tours and managing groups: Tour guides are responsible for leading the group throughout the tour. They ensure that the group stays together, follows the itinerary, and adheres to any safety guidelines. Guides should have good organizational and leadership skills to manage groups of varying sizes and diverse backgrounds.
• Assisting with logistics: Tour guides handle practical aspects of the tour, such as coordinating transportation between sites, arranging entry to attractions, and managing timing to optimize the itinerary. They provide directions, answer questions, and offer recommendations for meals, shopping, and other activities.
• Ensuring safety and security: Guides prioritize the safety and security of the tourists. They inform the group about potential risks or hazards, and they take necessary precautions to prevent accidents or incidents. In emergency situations, guides should be prepared to provide assistance and follow appropriate protocols.
• Interacting and engaging with tourists: Tour guides create a welcoming and interactive environment for tourists. They foster a positive and friendly atmosphere, encourage questions, and actively engage with the group. Guides should be approachable and adaptable, catering to the needs and interests of the tourists.
• Resolving issues and addressing concerns: Tour guides act as a point of contact for tourists, addressing any concerns or issues that may arise during the tour. They handle complaints, resolve conflicts, and provide assistance or alternative solutions when needed.
• Promoting responsible and sustainable tourism: Guides play a crucial role in promoting responsible tourism practices. They educate tourists about local customs and cultural sensitivities, encourage respectful behavior towards local communities and the environment, and advocate for sustainable travel practices.

Types of Tour Guides There are various types of tour guides, each specializing in different areas and catering to specific types of tours. Here are some common types of tour guides and a brief description of what they do:

• City Tour Guides: City tour guides specialize in providing tours within a specific city or urban area. They are well-versed in the history, architecture, landmarks, and culture of the city. Their role is to guide tourists through popular attractions, historical sites, and local neighborhoods, offering insights and commentary along the way.
• Cultural Tour Guides: Cultural tour guides focus on highlighting the cultural aspects of a destination. They provide in-depth knowledge about local traditions, customs, festivals, and arts. These guides may accompany tourists to museums, art galleries, cultural events, or religious sites, helping them understand and appreciate the cultural significance of these places.
• Ecotourism Guides : Ecotourism guides are responsible for designing and planning itineraries that are environmentally and culturally responsible, researching the destination, developing educational materials, preparing necessary equipment, and coordinating logistics such as transportation, accommodation, and meals.
• Adventure Tour Guides: Adventure tour guides lead tours focused on outdoor activities and adventure sports such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or skiing. They possess skills and knowledge in the specific activities offered, ensuring the safety of participants while providing guidance and instruction. Adventure guides may take tourists to remote and challenging locations, coordinating logistics and providing a thrilling experience.
• Historical Tour Guides: Historical tour guides specialize in providing detailed insights into the history of a destination. They are knowledgeable about specific historical periods, events, and significant landmarks. These guides often work in historical sites, monuments, or archaeological sites, sharing historical context and stories that bring the past to life for tourists.
• Specialized Tour Guides: Specialized tour guides cater to niche interests or specific types of tours. Examples include food tour guides who focus on culinary experiences, wine tour guides who provide expertise on vineyards and wine tasting, or art tour guides who lead tours in museums and art galleries, offering interpretations of artworks.

Are you suited to be a tour guide?

Tour guides have distinct personalities . They tend to be social individuals, which means they’re kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly. They excel at socializing, helping others, and teaching. Some of them are also enterprising, meaning they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if tour guide is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Tour Guide like?

The workplace of a tour guide can be quite diverse and dynamic, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor environments. One aspect of their workplace involves cultural and urban settings. City tour guides, for instance, operate within bustling cities, leading tourists through streets, squares, and iconic landmarks. They may work in vibrant neighborhoods, historic districts, or cosmopolitan areas, immersing tourists in the local culture and urban atmosphere. These guides navigate through crowded streets, interact with locals, and provide insights into the city's history, architecture, and vibrant lifestyle. They may also lead tours in museums, art galleries, or cultural centers, where they can showcase the city's artistic and cultural offerings.

Another significant aspect of a tour guide's workplace is outdoor settings. Nature and wildlife tour guides find themselves working in breathtaking natural landscapes, such as forests, mountains, or coastal areas. These guides lead groups on hikes, nature walks, or wildlife safaris, sharing their knowledge about the local flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Their workplace is characterized by stunning scenery, serene environments, and opportunities for visitors to connect with nature. Adventure tour guides also operate in outdoor settings, taking tourists on thrilling activities like rafting, rock climbing, or skiing. They work in adventurous and often remote locations, ensuring the safety of participants while providing an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Additionally, the workplace of a tour guide can extend to various modes of transportation. They may lead tours on buses, boats, trains, or even walking tours, utilizing different forms of transportation to explore diverse attractions and destinations. This allows guides to provide a comprehensive experience, showcasing various facets of a region while offering comfort and convenience to tourists.

Tour Guides are also known as: Tourist Guide

What Does a Tour Guide Do?

How do you make your travels more memorable? Let's talk about tour guides, the unsung heroes of every great trip.

A tour guide makes up 85% of what travelers think about a tour. So, if you're running a travel business and want to improve customer satisfaction, start by hiring and/or training great tour guides.

In this guide, we'll explore what makes a great tour guide. We'll look at the skills they should have, like sharing knowledge, ensuring safety, respecting local cultures, and caring for the environment.

How important are tour guides?

Travel guides are the heartbeat of the industry. They turn simple trips into unforgettable experiences by blending stories, culture, and adventure.

These guides do more than just show the way. Whether it's leading a tour through ancient ruins, leading a wildlife safari, or guiding you through a city, they connect people with the world.

So what do they do? We've got 10 key things tourist guides should practice and be trained in.  

What does a tour guide do?

1. provides information.

A tour guide's superpower is sharing fascinating information. They don't just show places; they bring them to life with stories about history, culture, and more.

Imagine exploring an ancient site while your guide unveils its secrets, from architectural marvels to dramatic historical tales.

• Why It Matters: This storytelling turns a regular trip into an unforgettable journey. It's the difference between just looking at old stones and feeling the pulse of history beneath your feet. Tourists carry these stories home, making their experience richer and more meaningful.
• The Risk of Falling Short: A guide who can't weave these tales leaves travelers with just snapshots, not stories. It turns an adventure into just another walk, leading to disappointment and forgettable trips. For a travel business, this means unhappy customers and a reputation that takes a nosedive.

2. Guarantees guest safety

At the core of a tour guide's responsibilities is ensuring the safety and well-being of guests. This includes sticking to safety protocols, guiding guests during activities, and handling emergencies effectively.

Take a wilderness hike, for example. A skilled guide not only checks that everyone has the right gear but also clearly explains safety rules. If a hiker twists an ankle on a tricky trail, a guide's quick response is crucial.

• Why Safety is Key: Safety is the foundation of a successful tour. A guide's ability to manage risks and respond to emergencies not only protects the guests but also builds trust. This trust is essential for an enjoyable and worry-free experience.
• The Consequences of Neglect: Ignoring safety can lead to serious consequences. A lapse in safety measures might result in accidents or emergencies, tarnishing the tour experience and the reputation of the travel business. In the world of travel, a safe journey is as important as an enjoyable one.

3. Manages itinerary

A tour guide's ability to organize and execute a tour itinerary is vital. This involves scheduling activities, coordinating transport, and managing time effectively to guarantee a seamless experience.

Consider a multi-day city tour. Here, the guide carefully plans each day, arranging museum visits, landmark tours, and dining experiences, all while balancing the group's time to maximize their enjoyment.

• Why it matters: Efficient itinerary management is the backbone of a smooth tour. It ensures that every experience is woven seamlessly into the journey, giving guests a well-rounded and hassle-free experience.
• The impact of poor management: If a guide mismanages the itinerary, the tour can turn chaotic, leading to missed opportunities and dissatisfaction. Timely and organized execution is key to keeping the tour on track and ensuring that every moment counts for the guests.

4. Knows how to engage guests

A tour guide's skill at engaging with guests, answering their questions, and offering enlightening insights plays a big role in enhancing the tour experience.

Imagine a wildlife safari where the guide doesn't just point out animals but passionately describes their habits and habitats. They encourage questions, sparking a deeper connection between the tourists and the wildlife around them.

• Why engagement matters: Effective engagement transforms a standard tour into an interactive journey. It's not just about seeing; it's about understanding and connecting. When a guide is interactive, it elevates the tourists' enjoyment and enriches their learning.
• The downside of disengagement: A guide who lacks this ability may leave guests feeling disconnected and uninvolved. Engagement is key to keeping the experience lively, educational, and memorable. Without it, even the most exotic tour can feel flat and unimpressive.

5. Speaks local

A tour guide's proficiency in the local language, coupled with their ability to translate or interpret for non-native speakers, is crucial for a smooth tour experience.

For instance, in a foreign country, a skilled guide not only fluently translates the tour explanations but also bridges the gap in conversations between tourists and locals. This ensures clear and effective communication throughout the journey.

• Why language skills are vital: Being fluent in the local language is more than just about communication; it's about connection. It helps in accurately conveying the essence of culture and history, and in facilitating meaningful interactions with locals.
• The impact of language barriers: Without strong language skills, misunderstandings can occur, potentially leading to a less fulfilling experience for the tourists. A guide's ability to speak the local language fluently is key to a seamless and enriching travel experience.

6. Excels at tour planning and logistics

A tour guide's role in overseeing and executing the logistical aspects of a tour is crucial. This includes arranging accommodations, meals, permits, and tickets, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Take a cruise excursion as an example. Here, the guide handles all the details, from coordinating transport from the ship to securing attraction tickets. He also organizes a picnic lunch for the group.

• Why it matters: Efficient planning ensures that every aspect of the tour is hassle-free for guests. It's about providing a seamless experience where tourists can focus on enjoying their adventure, not worrying about the details.
• The consequences of poor planning: Poor planning can lead to logistical mishaps, inconvenience, and frustration. A tour guide's skill in managing these details is essential for a successful and enjoyable tour, enhancing the overall travel experience.

7. Respects cultural aspects & beliefs

Tour guides' ability to promote cultural respect and sensitivity among tourists is pivotal. It involves ensuring tourists appreciate and follow local customs and traditions.

For example, on a cultural heritage tour, the guide might encourage visitors to remove their shoes before entering a sacred temple. This reinforces the importance of respecting local practices.

• Why it matters: Respecting cultural norms is the key to an immersive and respectful travel experience. It helps tourists connect more deeply with the places they visit and fosters mutual understanding between different cultures.
• The impact of cultural insensitivity: Lack of cultural respect can lead to uncomfortable situations and offend local communities. A guide's role in educating and guiding tourists about these aspects is critical for maintaining harmony and enhancing the overall quality of the tour.

8. Promotes sustainability

A tour guide's commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices is crucial. This includes educating tourists on proper waste disposal and minimizing their impact on the natural environment.  

Consider a nature hike: a knowledgeable guide leads the way and teaches the group about preserving the ecosystem. They emphasize the importance of leaving no trace, like avoiding littering, to protect the environment.

• Why sustainability matters: Encouraging sustainability is vital for protecting the places we love to visit. It ensures that these destinations remain pristine and enjoyable for future generations. Responsible practices reflect a commitment to the environment and local communities.
• The risks of ignoring sustainability: Neglecting sustainable practices can lead to environmental degradation, disrupting natural balance and diminishing tourist destinations. A guide's role in promoting sustainability is key to maintaining our natural and cultural treasures.

9. Handles the unexpected with ease

Tour guides' ability to handle unexpected challenges, like weather disruptions or participant concerns, is critical.

Imagine a sudden rainstorm hitting during an outdoor activity. An adept guide doesn't just find shelter; they swiftly rearrange the schedule to adapt to the new conditions, ensuring the tour continues smoothly.

• Why it matters: The unexpected is part of travel, and a guide's readiness to tackle these surprises head-on can make or break the tour experience. Their quick thinking and problem-solving skills keep the adventure on track, providing peace of mind for tourists.
• The impact of unpreparedness: If a guide cannot manage unforeseen events effectively, it can lead to disarray and disappointment. Being equipped to handle the unexpected is essential for maintaining the flow and enjoyment of the tour, no matter what comes your way.

10. Good record-keeper

Tour guides' skill in maintaining accurate records of tour-related information, including attendance, expenses, and incidents, is vital. Utilizing an online booking system enhances this process significantly, offering ease and precision in record-keeping.

Consider a guided photography tour. With an online system, the guide can efficiently log participant details, track locations visited, and note special photographic moments. This streamlines organization and provides participants with a detailed account of their experience.

• Why it matters: Online booking systems bring efficiency and accuracy to record-keeping. They simplify data management, making it easier to track and update tour details, leading to better planning and execution. For guests, these records can become cherished summaries of their journey.
• The downside of manual record-keeping: Relying solely on manual methods can lead to errors and oversights, potentially affecting the tour’s smooth operation and perceived professionalism.

An online system mitigates these risks, ensuring records are up-to-date and easily accessible. This digital approach is a significant advantage for both tour guides and operators in delivering a high-quality travel experience.

To sum up, tour guides are much more than just travel facilitators; they are the architects of unforgettable experiences. Their expertise in delivering engaging information, prioritizing safety, seamlessly managing itineraries, and promoting cultural sensitivity transforms a mere trip into an enriching journey.

In recognizing the invaluable role of tour guides, we see them as essential guides to the world's marvels. They bring depth, safety, and insight to every adventure. They are the bridge connecting curious travelers to the wonders around them, making each journey not just a visit, but a story worth telling.

As we applaud these unsung heroes of travel, we understand that their skills and passion truly open the doors to the world's treasures for us all.

FAQ Section

What are the duties of a tourist guide.

Tourist guides provide guidance and extensive knowledge of local history, attractions, and archaeological sites while entertaining their visitors. They ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations, manage the itinerary, and provide assistance in emergencies. Tour guides educate and interact with clients, making each destination more interesting and engaging.  

What do tour guides do daily in their tour guide jobs?

Tour guides conduct walking tours and guided tours, often in art galleries, historical sites, or remote locations. They research and plan each tour, ensuring they have extensive knowledge to share.  

Tour guides work confidently with clients, answer questions, and provide engaging and educational experiences. They also coordinate with tour companies and ensure safety practices are upheld.

Is tour guiding a hard career?

Tour guiding as a career can be demanding but also rewarding. It requires confidence in public speaking, proficiency in the English language, and the ability to teach and entertain in an interesting manner.

Tour guides must be adaptable to handle various sites and situations, from busy city tours to remote locations. It's a job that involves constant learning and interaction, making it a good fit for those who enjoy teaching and exploring.

How much does a tour guide make per tour in tour guide jobs?

Tour guide jobs earn vary. Tour guides work for tour companies or as freelancers and are often paid per tour, with rates depending on the tour's length, destination, and the guide's experience.  

Guides may also receive tips from clients for providing excellent service. Additionally, online resources and tour operator platforms can offer avenues for tour guides to find more clients and establish a stable income. Research and understanding of the local market are key to estimating potential earnings in this career.

What qualifications or training are typically required to become a tour guide?

Qualifications and training requirements can vary by location and the type of tours offered. Tour guides may benefit from formal education in tourism or related fields, as well as relevant certifications or licenses.

Training often includes developing communication skills, knowledge of the tour's subject matter, and practical guidance on leading tours.

How do tour guides handle unexpected challenges or emergencies during a tour?

Tour guides are trained to handle a variety of situations, including emergencies. They may have contingency plans in place, such as knowing the nearest medical facilities or alternate routes in case of road closures.

Communication with tour participants and swift, calm decision-making are essential skills for addressing unexpected challenges.

What's the role of a tour guide in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism?

Tour guides play a crucial role in promoting responsible tourism by educating tourists about respecting local cultures, wildlife, and natural environments. They encourage responsible behavior, such as minimizing waste and supporting local communities.

Guides also ensure that tour groups follow designated paths and adhere to any specific rules or regulations at destinations of environmental or cultural significance.

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• Travel Guide

What Is The Job Of A Tour Guide

Published: December 14, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Brigid Cloutier

• Plan Your Trip

Introduction

When you embark on a journey to explore a new destination, you often rely on the expertise and guidance of a tour guide to make your experience memorable and enriching. A tour guide is someone who possesses deep knowledge and passion for a particular location or activity, and their job is to lead and educate tourists throughout their journey.

Whether you’re visiting ancient ruins, exploring natural wonders, or immersing yourself in the culture of a vibrant city, a tour guide is there to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the place you’re visiting. They bring the destination to life by sharing fascinating stories, historical facts, and local insights that you may not find in guidebooks or online resources.

But being a tour guide is not just about reciting facts and figures. It requires a unique skill set and a genuine love for adventure and exploration. Tour guides play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, enjoyment, and satisfaction of the tourists they accompany. From providing historical and cultural information to managing logistics and handling group dynamics, their responsibilities are diverse and demanding.

In this article, we will delve into the job of a tour guide, exploring the various responsibilities they undertake to create an unforgettable experience for travelers. We will examine the importance of their role in preserving the destination’s heritage, ensuring the safety of tourists, and facilitating seamless travel logistics. Additionally, we will explore the key skills and qualities that make a tour guide truly exceptional.

So, if you’ve ever been curious about what goes on behind the scenes and the incredible work tour guides do, join us as we take a closer look into the fascinating world of tour guiding.

Role of a Tour Guide

A tour guide serves as a bridge between travelers and the destination they are visiting. Their primary role is to provide information, guidance, and assistance, ensuring that tourists have a captivating and stress-free experience. Let’s explore the different aspects of the role of a tour guide:

Education and Information: One of the main responsibilities of a tour guide is to educate and inform tourists about the history, culture, and significance of the places they visit. They possess in-depth knowledge of the destination and are skilled at sharing interesting facts, anecdotes, and stories that bring the location to life. They provide context and help travelers understand the significance of various sites and landmarks, making the experience more meaningful.

Guidance and Direction: Tour guides lead the way, ensuring that tourists navigate through the destination smoothly. They are responsible for creating and implementing itineraries, organizing transportation, and coordinating logistics. They ensure that tourists are aware of the schedule, know where to go, and have all the necessary information for a hassle-free trip.

Assistance and Support: A tour guide is there to assist travelers throughout their journey. They provide recommendations on restaurants, accommodations, and local attractions. They offer assistance with language barriers, currency exchanges, and any other challenges that may arise during the trip. They are the go-to person for any inquiries or concerns, offering personal attention and support to ensure a seamless travel experience.

Entertainment and Engagement: Tour guides are skilled storytellers who captivate their audience with engaging narratives. They create an immersive experience by sharing fascinating tales, legends, and historical anecdotes during the tour. They keep the group entertained and engaged, fostering a friendly and lively atmosphere that enhances the overall enjoyment of the journey.

Facilitation and Safety: Tour guides are responsible for the safety and well-being of the tourists under their care. They ensure that all safety protocols are followed, provide guidance on proper behavior and etiquette, and handle any emergencies or unforeseen circumstances that may arise. They are trained in first aid and are equipped to handle minor medical issues and ensure the overall security of the group.

Building Connections: Tour guides have the opportunity to connect people from different backgrounds and cultures. They foster a sense of camaraderie within the group, encouraging interaction and friendship among the travelers. By creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, they ensure that everyone feels comfortable and included throughout the journey.

As you can see, being a tour guide is a multi-faceted role that requires a combination of knowledge, skills, and interpersonal abilities. These dedicated individuals are passionate about their destinations and are committed to making every adventure a memorable and enriching experience for the travelers they guide.

Responsibilities of a Tour Guide

A tour guide’s responsibilities extend far beyond simply providing information and guiding tourists through a destination. They play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of a tour and the satisfaction of the travelers. Let’s explore some of the key responsibilities of a tour guide:

Knowledge and Expertise: A tour guide must possess a deep understanding of the destination they are guiding in. They should be well-versed in the history, culture, geography, and local customs to provide comprehensive and accurate information to tourists. Their knowledge enables them to answer questions, share interesting facts, and offer insights that enhance the overall experience.

Organizing Itineraries: Tour guides are responsible for creating well-planned itineraries that maximize the time spent in each location. They must carefully select and prioritize the key sights, activities, and experiences that showcase the best of the destination. This includes coordinating transportation, managing entry tickets, and ensuring a balance between guided activities and free time.

Managing Group Dynamics: Tour guides must be skilled at managing diverse groups of individuals with different personalities, preferences, and needs. They must foster a friendly and inclusive atmosphere within the group, promoting cooperation and positive interactions. In case of conflicts or disagreements, they need to address them calmly and efficiently to maintain a harmonious travel experience for everyone.

Ensuring Safety and Security: The safety and security of tourists are of utmost importance. Tour guides must be well-prepared to handle any emergencies or potential risks that may arise during the tour. They need to be knowledgeable about safety protocols, first aid procedures, and emergency contacts. Additionally, they must keep a vigilant eye on the group, ensuring that everyone is accounted for and following safety guidelines.

Providing Cultural Context: A significant part of a tour guide’s responsibility is to provide cultural context to the travelers. They should be able to explain and interpret local customs, traditions, and etiquette. This helps tourists to understand and appreciate the destination’s cultural richness, fostering respect and sensitivity towards the local community.

Language and Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential for a tour guide to convey information clearly and engage with the group. They should be proficient in the language(s) spoken by the majority of the tourists and possess excellent public speaking skills. Good communication enables tour guides to captivate their audience, manage expectations, and address any concerns or questions that may arise.

Customer Service and Interpersonal Skills: Tour guides should have exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills. They need to be friendly, approachable, and attentive to the needs of the travelers. By offering personalized attention and creating a welcoming environment, they enhance the overall customer experience, ensuring that each tourist feels valued and well-cared for.

Flexibility and Adaptability: Travel plans can sometimes change unexpectedly due to weather conditions, unforeseen closures, or other circumstances. Tour guides must be flexible and able to adapt to these changes efficiently. They should have contingency plans in place and be skilled at modifying itineraries on the go, ensuring a seamless experience for the group.

Passion and Enthusiasm: Above all, a tour guide should possess a genuine passion for their destination and a love for sharing it with others. Their enthusiasm is contagious, inspiring and motivating travelers to fully immerse themselves in the experience. It is this genuine love for their work that transforms a good tour into an extraordinary one.

As you can see, the responsibilities of a tour guide go beyond being a source of information. They are entrusted with the task of creating memorable and enjoyable experiences, fostering connections between tourists and the destination, and ensuring the overall success of the journey.

Providing Historical and Cultural Information

One of the primary responsibilities of a tour guide is to provide tourists with valuable insights into the history and culture of the destination they are visiting. By sharing historical and cultural information, tour guides enhance the overall understanding and appreciation of the place, making the experience more meaningful and engaging. Let’s explore this aspect of a tour guide’s job in more detail:

Historical Knowledge: Tour guides are well-versed in the historical background of the destination. They possess a deep understanding of the significant events, eras, and key figures that have shaped the region’s past. They are skilled at conveying this knowledge to tourists by offering engaging narratives, intriguing facts, and anecdotes that breathe life into the historical context. By sharing stories that go beyond the surface level, tour guides provide a richer understanding of the destination’s heritage.

Cultural Insights: In addition to historical information, tour guides also delve into the cultural fabric of the destination. They provide insights into the local customs, traditions, and values that define the community. Whether it’s explaining the significance of festivals, demonstrating traditional arts and crafts, or highlighting unique cultural practices, tour guides help tourists gain a deeper appreciation for the rich diversity of the location.

Contextualizing Attractions: Tour guides play a crucial role in contextualizing the significance of various attractions and landmarks. They go beyond merely pointing out buildings or sites and provide historical and cultural context that allows tourists to fully grasp their importance. By explaining the stories behind iconic monuments, architectural styles, or archaeological ruins, tour guides bring these features to life, fostering a deeper connection between travelers and their surroundings.

Uncovering Hidden Gems: Tour guides are often privy to lesser-known facts, hidden spots, and off-the-beaten-path attractions that may not be readily available in guidebooks. They have local insider knowledge that allows them to share unique and unexpected aspects of the destination. By uncovering hidden gems and sharing these hidden treasures with tourists, tour guides provide a more authentic and enriching experience.

Interpretation and Analysis: Tour guides possess the ability to analyze and interpret the historical and cultural information they present. They go beyond reciting facts and figures and provide a deeper understanding of the impact of past events on the present-day society. By offering analysis and personal insights, tour guides encourage tourists to think critically and engage in meaningful discussions about the destination’s history and culture.

Linking the Past and the Present: A skilled tour guide can connect the past with the present, highlighting how historical events and cultural traditions continue to influence the destination today. By making these connections, they help tourists see the relevance and enduring legacy of the past, fostering a greater appreciation for the living heritage of the place being visited.

Overall, the role of a tour guide in providing historical and cultural information is to add depth and meaning to the travel experience. By sharing their expertise and insights, tour guides create a bridge between the past and the present, allowing travelers to truly immerse themselves in the destination and gain a profound understanding of its historical and cultural significance.

Ensuring Safety and Security of Tourists

One of the paramount responsibilities of a tour guide is to ensure the safety and security of the tourists under their care. They play a crucial role in making sure that travelers can explore and enjoy a destination without any unnecessary risks or concerns. Let’s delve into the various aspects of a tour guide’s role in ensuring the safety and security of tourists:

Risk Assessment and Preparation: Before the tour begins, tour guides assess potential risks and hazards associated with the destination. They stay informed about any safety concerns, such as political unrest, natural disasters, or health advisories. By conducting thorough research and monitoring the situation, they can preemptively make informed decisions and take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the group.

Implementation of Safety Protocols: Tour guides are responsible for educating and implementing safety protocols among the tourists. They provide guidance on basic safety measures, such as staying hydrated, applying sunblock, and dressing appropriately for the environment. They ensure that the group is aware of any specific safety instructions related to activities like hiking, water sports, or wildlife encounters.

First Aid and Emergency Response: Tour guides often receive training in basic first aid procedures and emergency response. They are equipped to handle minor medical issues, such as cuts, sprains, or dehydration. In case of more serious emergencies, they know how to initiate and coordinate appropriate emergency services, providing immediate assistance until professional help arrives.

Monitoring and Accountability: Throughout the tour, tour guides maintain vigilance and monitor the well-being of the group. They keep track of the whereabouts of each tourist and ensure that everyone is accounted for at all times. By maintaining a headcount and constantly assessing the group dynamics, they can quickly identify any potential safety concerns or issues within the group.

Contingency Planning: Tour guides are skilled at anticipating and preparing for unexpected situations. They have contingency plans in place to handle events like changes in weather conditions, transportation delays, or sudden closures of attractions. By having alternative options and backup arrangements, they ensure that the tour continues smoothly, minimizing any disruptions to the itinerary.

Local Knowledge and Expertise: Tour guides have in-depth knowledge of the local area and are familiar with potential safety risks specific to the destination. They know which areas may be unsafe for tourists or which neighborhoods to avoid. This knowledge enables them to guide the group away from potential hazards and ensure a safe and secure travel experience.

Communication and Emergency Contacts: Tour guides act as a liaison between the tourists and local authorities in case of emergencies. They have access to emergency contact numbers and know how to communicate with local law enforcement, medical services, or embassy representatives if needed. Their communication skills play a crucial role in swiftly and effectively addressing any safety or security concerns that may arise.

Maintaining a Safe Group Environment: A tour guide fosters a supportive and secure group environment by establishing clear guidelines and rules for the tourists to follow. They address any concerns about personal safety, theft prevention, or local scams that may be prevalent in the area. By creating awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility within the group, they help minimize risks and ensure a safe travel experience.

Constantly Reassessing Safety: Safety is not a one-time consideration but an ongoing commitment for tour guides. They continuously reassess and manage potential risks throughout the tour. They adapt their plans and actions as necessary to ensure that tourists remain safe, comfortable, and secure throughout the journey.

The safety and security of tourists are of paramount importance for a tour guide. By being vigilant, proactive, and prepared, tour guides create a sense of trust and confidence among travelers, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the destination and enjoy a worry-free exploration of new horizons.

Handling Logistics and Itinerary Planning

A significant part of a tour guide’s role is to handle the logistics and planning of the itinerary for a smooth and organized travel experience. From arranging transportation to coordinating activities, tour guides take on various responsibilities to ensure a seamless journey. Let’s explore the key aspects of a tour guide’s role in handling logistics and itinerary planning:

Transportation Arrangements: Tour guides are responsible for organizing transportation for the group. This includes coordinating airport transfers, arranging ground transportation during the tour, and ensuring that all transportation arrangements align with the itinerary. They consider factors such as comfort, safety, and efficiency when selecting transportation options, ensuring that travelers can move from one location to another with ease.

Accommodation Coordination: Tour guides assist in selecting and booking suitable accommodations for the group. They consider factors such as location, budget, and amenities to provide a comfortable and convenient stay for the travelers. They liaise with hotels or accommodations to ensure that reservations are in order and that any specific requests or requirements are addressed.

Activity and Sightseeing Planning: Tour guides carefully plan and schedule activities and sightseeing opportunities to maximize the traveler’s experience. They select and coordinate visits to key attractions, landmarks, and cultural sites that are relevant to the destination. They also take into consideration any special events, festivals, or exhibitions that may enhance the itinerary, providing travelers with unique and memorable experiences.

Optimizing Time and Resources: Tour guides need to strike a balance between providing a comprehensive experience and allowing for downtime and flexibility. They plan the itinerary in such a way that travelers have ample time to explore and appreciate each destination. By optimizing the use of time and resources, tour guides ensure that the itinerary is well-paced, allowing for a fulfilling and enjoyable travel experience.

Managing Entrances and Tickets: Tour guides handle the logistics of securing entrances and tickets for attractions, museums, or other venues included in the itinerary. They ensure that the necessary bookings are made in advance, eliminating the need for travelers to wait in long queues or face disappointment due to sold-out tickets. By taking care of this aspect, tour guides save time for tourists and eliminate unnecessary stress.

Flexibility and Adaptability: While it is crucial to have a well-planned itinerary, tour guides also need to be flexible and adaptable. They understand that unexpected situations might arise, such as weather conditions, unforeseen closures, or changes in travel schedules. In such instances, they make adjustments to the itinerary, allowing for alternative activities or rearranging the order of visits to ensure a seamless travel experience.

Providing Recommendations and Local Insights: Tour guides offer recommendations for dining options, shopping areas, and additional attractions that may not be included in the initial itinerary. They utilize their local knowledge and expertise to suggest hidden gems, local cuisine, or unique experiences that travelers may appreciate. This personalized guidance helps visitors make the most of their time in the destination.

Clear Communication to the Group: A tour guide communicates the itinerary and any changes or updates to the group effectively. They provide clear instructions on meeting points, departure times, and any specific requirements for each activity. By ensuring transparent communication, tour guides help travelers stay informed and minimize any confusion or misunderstandings.

Attention to Detail: Tour guides pay meticulous attention to detail when planning the logistics and itinerary. They anticipate potential issues, consider accessibility requirements, and plan for contingencies. By focusing on the small details, they ensure that travelers can fully immerse themselves in the experience without worrying about logistical challenges.

The role of a tour guide in handling logistics and itinerary planning is vital for creating a well-organized, enjoyable, and stress-free travel experience. Their expertise and attention to detail allow travelers to focus on immersing themselves in the destination, knowing that all the practical aspects of their journey are taken care of.

Managing Group Dynamics

As a tour guide, managing group dynamics is an essential skill that ensures a harmonious and enjoyable travel experience for all participants. Tourists often come from different backgrounds, have unique personalities, and may have varying expectations. It is the tour guide’s responsibility to create a cohesive and inclusive group dynamic that fosters a positive atmosphere. Let’s explore the key aspects of a tour guide’s role in managing group dynamics:

Establishing Group Guidelines: The tour guide sets clear guidelines and expectations from the beginning of the tour. These guidelines may include respecting each other’s personal space, adhering to the agreed-upon schedule, and maintaining a positive and inclusive attitude towards fellow travelers. By establishing these guidelines, tour guides create a framework for a respectful and cohesive group dynamic.

Encouraging Communication and Engagement: Tour guides facilitate open communication channels within the group. They encourage participants to interact, share their experiences, and engage in conversations. This fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves and building connections with fellow travelers.

Addressing Individual Needs: Tour guides understand that each traveler is unique and may have specific needs or concerns. They take the time to listen to individual concerns and address them appropriately. By acknowledging and accommodating these needs within reason, tour guides ensure that everyone feels valued and included throughout the journey.

Fostering a Welcoming Atmosphere: Tour guides create a warm and inviting atmosphere within the group. They set the tone by being approachable, friendly, and attentive. By creating a sense of camaraderie and inclusivity, tour guides encourage participants to feel comfortable and open to connecting with their fellow travelers.

Recognizing and Respecting Differences: Tour guides embrace and celebrate the diversity within the group. They encourage participants to appreciate and learn from the different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds of their fellow travelers. By fostering an environment of respect and understanding, tour guides promote cultural exchange and a shared sense of appreciation for individual differences.

Mediating and Resolving Conflict: Conflict can occasionally arise within a group setting. Whether it’s a difference of opinion, misunderstandings, or clashes of personalities, tour guides are skilled at addressing and diffusing conflicts effectively. They act as mediators, encouraging dialogue, and finding mutually beneficial resolutions. By addressing conflicts promptly and fairly, tour guides maintain a harmonious group dynamic.

Encouraging Team Spirit: Tour guides cultivate a sense of teamwork and cooperation within the group. They promote the idea that everyone is working together towards a shared goal: to have an enjoyable and memorable travel experience. By encouraging participants to support and help each other, tour guides foster a team spirit that enhances the overall journey.

Creating Opportunities for Bonding: Tour guides organize activities or experiences that encourage group bonding. These activities can range from group meals, team-building exercises, or engaging in local traditions together. By providing opportunities for participants to connect on a deeper level, tour guides strengthen the group dynamic and create lasting memories for the travelers.

Leading by Example: Tour guides act as role models for the group. They lead by example, demonstrating respect, patience, and enthusiasm throughout the journey. By embodying these qualities, they encourage participants to behave in a similar manner, contributing to a positive and cooperative group dynamic.

Effective management of group dynamics is key to ensuring a pleasant and memorable travel experience. A skilled tour guide understands the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment, where travelers can connect, learn from one another, and foster lifelong friendships. By fostering a positive group dynamic, tour guides enhance the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of the journey for everyone involved.

Language and Communication Skills

Language and communication skills are fundamental for a tour guide to effectively convey information, engage with tourists, and create a seamless travel experience. As a bridge between different cultures and languages, tour guides must possess strong communication abilities to connect with travelers from various backgrounds. Let’s explore the importance of language and communication skills in the role of a tour guide:

Multilingual Proficiency: Tour guides should be proficient in the language(s) spoken by the majority of the tourists in their group. Fluency in multiple languages allows them to communicate directly with visitors, eliminating language barriers and ensuring clear and accurate information exchange. This skill enhances the overall travel experience by facilitating smooth communication and understanding.

Clear and Engaging Presentation: Tour guides must possess excellent public speaking skills to convey information effectively. They should be able to communicate clearly, using a tone and pace that is easily comprehensible to all participants. Additionally, they should have the ability to adapt their communication style to suit the needs and preferences of the group.

Non-Verbal Communication: Non-verbal communication is equally vital for tour guides. They should be aware of their body language, facial expressions, and gestures, as these can greatly impact how their messages are received. Non-verbal cues can help reinforce explanations, convey enthusiasm, and establish a connection with the group, enhancing the overall communication experience.

Active Listening: A tour guide must possess excellent listening skills. They should be attentive to individual participants, actively listening to their questions, concerns, and feedback. This allows tour guides to address specific inquiries, tailor information to individual interests, and ensure that participants feel heard and valued.

Adaptability to Different Learning Styles: People have diverse learning styles, such as visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. Tour guides with strong communication skills can adapt their presentation techniques to cater to various learning preferences. They may use visual aids, storytelling, hands-on experiences, or interactive activities to engage participants and enhance their understanding of the destination.

Clarifying Complex Information: Tour guides often share historical, cultural, or technical information that may be complex or unfamiliar to participants. They should possess the ability to explain intricate concepts in a simplified and accessible manner. Breaking down complex information into digestible segments enables participants to absorb and retain knowledge more effectively.

Responding to Questions and Enhancing Engagement: Tour guides should be prepared to answer questions from participants spontaneously. They should be knowledgeable and confident in their responses, addressing inquiries with accuracy and authority. Moreover, skilled tour guides go beyond basic answers, initiating engaging discussions and encouraging participants to explore their curiosity further.

Empathy and Sensitivity: Effective communication involves understanding and empathizing with participants, particularly when dealing with diverse cultural backgrounds. Tour guides should respect and adapt to different communication styles, ensuring that their messages are culturally appropriate and sensitive. This fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment where participants feel valued and acknowledged.

Interpreting and Translating: Tour guides may often act as interpreters, translating information between participants and locals who may not speak the same language. Accurate language interpretation skills enable seamless communication during interactions with locals, ensuring that participants can fully engage with the destination’s culture and people.

Conflict Resolution: In situations where conflicts arise within the group, tour guides must possess strong communication skills to mediate and resolve issues calmly and diplomatically. Effective communication can help diffuse tensions, foster understanding, and reach mutually agreeable solutions, ensuring a positive group dynamic.

Language and communication skills are indispensable for tour guides to effectively convey information, facilitate cultural exchange, and create a memorable travel experience. By employing these skills, tour guides can bridge language barriers and connect with participants on a deeper level, fostering a rich and engaging exploration of the destination.

Customer Service and Interpersonal Skills

Customer service and interpersonal skills are crucial for tour guides to provide a high-quality and personalized travel experience. As the main point of contact for tourists, tour guides must possess excellent interpersonal abilities to establish rapport, address individual needs, and ensure customer satisfaction. Let’s explore the importance of customer service and interpersonal skills in the role of a tour guide:

Empathy and Friendliness: Tour guides should approach interactions with empathy, understanding, and a friendly demeanor. They create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere, making participants feel comfortable, valued, and at ease throughout the journey. A positive and friendly attitude sets the foundation for a pleasant and enjoyable travel experience.

Active Listening and Communication: Effective communication goes hand in hand with exceptional customer service. Tour guides actively listen to participants, paying attention to their needs, preferences, and concerns. They address inquiries promptly and clearly, ensuring that participants feel heard and understood. By actively engaging in conversations, tour guides facilitate meaningful interactions that enhance the overall travel experience.

Personalized Attention: Each traveler is unique, with individual preferences and requirements. Tour guides should be attentive to these specific needs and provide personalized attention whenever possible. Whether it’s dietary restrictions, mobility concerns, or special interests, tour guides strive to accommodate individual requirements to ensure a customized and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Resolving Issues and Concerns: In the event of any issues or challenges, tour guides handle them promptly and professionally. This includes addressing complaints, resolving conflicts, or finding solutions to unexpected situations. By demonstrating empathy, flexibility, and problem-solving skills, tour guides ensure that participants feel supported and confident in their ability to resolve any concerns.

Organizational and Time Management: Excellent organizational and time management skills are essential for tour guides to deliver a smooth and well-coordinated travel experience. They keep track of schedules, manage logistics, and ensure that participants have sufficient time to explore each destination. By effectively managing time and resources, tour guides create an efficient and enjoyable itinerary.

Patience and Adaptability: Travel can sometimes be unpredictable, with unforeseen delays or changes in plans. Tour guides exhibit patience and adaptability in such situations, maintaining a positive and calm demeanor. By demonstrating flexibility and being responsive to unexpected circumstances, tour guides help participants navigate through any challenges and ensure a seamless travel experience.

Conflict Resolution: Conflict may occasionally arise within a group setting. Tour guides possess conflict resolution skills to address and diffuse these situations diplomatically. They strive to find mutually agreeable solutions, foster understanding, and maintain a harmonious group dynamic. By effectively managing conflicts, tour guides create a positive and cooperative environment for all participants.

Maintaining a Professional Image: Tour guides represent the travel company or destination they are associated with. As such, they maintain a professional image by being well-groomed, punctual, and courteous. They uphold high standards of professionalism and conduct, ensuring that participants perceive them as trustworthy and reliable.

Going Above and Beyond: Exceptional tour guides exceed expectations by going above and beyond to provide outstanding customer service. They anticipate participants’ needs, offer unexpected gestures of hospitality, and create memorable experiences. By creating moments that truly wow participants, tour guides leave a lasting impression and foster positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

Continuous Improvement: Great tour guides strive for continuous improvement in their customer service and interpersonal skills. They actively seek feedback, evaluate their performance, and seek opportunities for professional development. By constantly honing their skills, tour guides ensure that they deliver an exceptional travel experience that exceeds expectations.

Customer service and interpersonal skills are essential for tour guides to provide exemplary assistance and create a positive connection with participants. By demonstrating empathy, attentive listening, and a commitment to providing personalized experiences, tour guides ensure that travelers feel valued, satisfied, and enthusiastic about their journey.

Knowledge and Expertise in Tourism

A tour guide’s knowledge and expertise in tourism play a pivotal role in providing a comprehensive and enriching travel experience for tourists. Their in-depth understanding of the destination, combined with their expertise in the tourism industry, allows them to offer valuable insights, expert guidance, and a deeper appreciation of the places visited. Let’s explore the importance of knowledge and expertise in tourism for tour guides:

Destination Knowledge: Tour guides possess extensive knowledge about the destination they are guiding in. They are well-versed in the history, culture, geography, and landmarks of the region. This knowledge enables them to provide accurate, detailed, and up-to-date information to participants, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the destination.

Local Expertise: Tour guides have intimate knowledge of the local area. They know the best-kept secrets, hidden gems, and off-the-beaten-path locations that may not be widely known to tourists. This expertise allows them to offer unique and memorable experiences, making the journey not only informative but also immersive and authentic.

Historical and Cultural Context: A thorough understanding of the historical and cultural context of the destination is essential for tour guides. This expertise allows them to provide insightful interpretations, narratives, and explanations that connect the past with the present. By highlighting the significance of historical events and cultural traditions, tour guides give participants a deeper understanding of the destination’s heritage.

Navigating Through the Destination: Tour guides possess the knowledge and expertise to navigate through the destination efficiently. They are aware of the best routes, transportation options, and local customs that may impact travel logistics. This expertise allows them to plan itineraries, optimize time, and ensure a seamless travel experience for participants, maximizing their time spent exploring the destination.

Understanding Tourism Practices: Tour guides have a comprehensive understanding of tourism practices and trends. They stay abreast of industry standards, sustainability practices, and responsible tourism initiatives. This expertise allows them to promote ethical and environmentally-friendly tourism experiences and provide participants with insights into the positive impact they can have on the destination and local communities.

Knowledge of Safety and Security: Tour guides possess the expertise to identify and mitigate potential safety and security risks. They are trained in safety protocols, emergency procedures, and first aid. This knowledge allows them to prioritize the well-being of participants, create a safe environment, and respond effectively in case of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

Adapting to Cultural Differences: Cultural sensitivity is a vital aspect of a tour guide’s expertise. They are aware of cultural nuances, customs, and etiquette in order to ensure that participants show respect and avoid any unintentional cultural misunderstandings. Their understanding of cultural differences allows them to facilitate meaningful interactions, bridging gaps between different cultures and fostering a sense of appreciation and understanding.

Interpreting and Translating: In multicultural or multilingual settings, tour guides act as interpreters and translators between participants and locals. Their language skills and ability to convey information accurately facilitate communication, ensuring that participants can engage with locals and fully immerse themselves in the destination’s culture and people.

Continual Learning and Professional Development: Exceptional tour guides recognize the importance of continual learning and professional development in the ever-evolving field of tourism. They engage in ongoing education, attend workshops, and stay updated on industry trends and best practices. This expertise enables them to provide a cutting-edge travel experience that incorporates the latest insights and advancements in the tourism industry.

Knowledge and expertise are the foundation of a tour guide’s role in delivering an exceptional travel experience. By staying well-informed, continually expanding their understanding, and honing their expertise, tour guides ensure that participants receive valuable insights, expert guidance, and a deeper connection to the destination they are exploring.

Being a tour guide is much more than just leading a group of travelers through a destination. It requires a unique set of skills, knowledge, and expertise to create a memorable and enriching travel experience. From providing historical and cultural information to ensuring the safety and security of tourists, tour guides play a pivotal role in shaping the journey of exploration and discovery.

Tour guides bring destinations to life by sharing in-depth knowledge, captivating stories, and local insights that go beyond what can be found in guidebooks or online resources. They foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the history, culture, and significance of the places visited, creating a more meaningful connection between travelers and their surroundings.

In addition to their role as educators and storytellers, tour guides are responsible for managing logistics, planning itineraries, and adapting to unforeseen circumstances. They navigate through the destination efficiently, ensuring that travelers have a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. With their language and communication skills, they bridge cultural and language barriers, creating a cohesive and inclusive group dynamic.

Furthermore, tour guides excel in customer service and interpersonal skills. They provide personalized attention, address individual needs, and go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. By fostering a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, they create a sense of camaraderie and connection among the participants, turning a group of strangers into a community of like-minded explorers.

A tour guide’s expertise in tourism, including their knowledge of the destination, local customs, and safety procedures, is essential for a well-rounded travel experience. Their continual learning and commitment to professional development enable them to stay up-to-date with industry best practices and provide participants with cutting-edge insights and experiences.

In conclusion, tour guides play a vital role in transforming a trip into an unforgettable adventure. Through their knowledge, expertise, and exceptional interpersonal skills, they bring destinations to life, navigate logistics, ensure safety, and create lasting memories for travelers. Their passion for exploration, commitment to excellence, and dedication to customer service make them indispensable for anyone seeking a truly immersive and enriching travel experience.

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What are the duties and responsibilities of a Tour Guide?

Being a tour guide is no mere profession—it's a commitment to education, a dedication to engagement, and a passion for sharing one's surroundings with the world. It's about striking the balance between historian, educator, and companion.

But what exactly does the 'job description' entail? Let's map out the adventurous landscape of a tour guide's duties and responsibilities. 1. Research, Research, Research! Before you charm your audience with tales and trivia, you've got to know your stuff. Dive deep into the history, culture, and stories of the places you're showcasing. Remember, every cobblestone might have a tale to tell. 2. Plan the Perfect Itinerary Crafting a tour is like arranging a melody. You'll decide the stops, the highlights, the duration, and the pace. Your goal? A seamless, engaging experience from start to finish. 3. Safety First As the captain of the ship, the safety and well-being of your crew (read: tourists) is paramount. This means knowing the ins and outs of your route, being prepared for emergencies, and always having a Plan B. 4. Be the Storyteller Your tourists aren't just looking for facts—they're craving stories, emotions, and memories. Weave tales that transport them through time and space. Your narrative can turn a mere statue into a legendary hero. 5. Customer Service Maestro From answering endless questions to handling the occasional hiccup, you're the go-to person for your group. It's your duty to ensure everyone feels heard, valued, and taken care of. 6. Adapt and Overcome Rain pouring down during your outdoor tour? A sudden roadblock on your planned route? A tour guide is always on their toes, ready to adapt, improvise, and ensure the show goes on. 7. Promote Local Businesses Part of your role is also to boost local commerce. Recommending that quaint café around the corner or the artisan shop down the lane not only enhances the tourist experience but also supports local communities. 8. Feedback Loop An astute tour guide values feedback. It's how you refine, improve, and elevate your tours. Encourage tourists to share their thoughts and always be open to constructive criticism. 9. Stay Updated From local events to new historical discoveries, a tour guide is always learning. It ensures your tours remain fresh, relevant, and exciting. 10. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy Last, but by no means least, a tour guide is the embodiment of energy and enthusiasm, combined with the empathy to understand and cater to diverse tourists.

Read More: What are the essential skills for tour guides? Being a tour guide isn't just about knowing the way; it's about paving the way for unforgettable experiences.

It's a role that blends research, storytelling, management, and sheer passion. So, if you've got a penchant for history, a flair for drama, and a heart that loves to meet new people, you're on the right path. Adventure awaits!

Read More:   Discover Tour Guiding as a Profession: A World Full of Travel, Joy and Endless Opportunities

Portobello Institute's QQI Level 6 Tour Guide course allows you to train and qualify as a national tourist guide.

If you are interested in choosing the course for the career you want, you can  book a consultation call  with our expert Travel & Tourism advisor Brandon McLean,  email  [email protected]  or call 01 892 0035. 

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• Presentation

W HAT IS A TOURIST GUIDE?

At the National Department of Tourism we measure success not only in the visitor numbers, but in the experiences we create, the new opportunities for meaningful employment and growth and the understanding that is fostered between people from different backgrounds and different corners of the world and our tourist guides play an integral role in this.​

Tourist Guides are often one of the first people to welcome tourists and the last to bid them farewell. Their role is to enhance our visitors' experience and be ambassadors for South Africa as a tourist destination.

Definition of Tourist Guide

Tourist Guides act as ambassadors of the country, 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. ​

Various international organizations such as the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations (WFTGA) define a tourist guide as the person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of​ an area, which person may possess an area specific qualification. Such specifications are usually issued and/or recognized by the appropriate authority. 

A tourist guide is someone who points out the way and leads others on a trip or tour. Generally, a tourist guide will work at a specific location, city or province. In some cases, guides qualify to guide throughout an entire country. 

According to the Tourism Act No. 3 of 2014, Tourist guide means any person registered as such under section 50 and who for reward accompanies any person who travels within or visits any place within the Republic and who furnishes such person with information or comments.

Importance of Tourist Guides

Characteristics of tourist guides.

Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information.

Understanding tourism at your destination

• Toolkit About the Sustainable Tourism Toolkit How to use this guide? Our Objective Resource Library
• Guides Strategic foundations Guide 1: Understanding Guide 2: Strategy Guide 3: Governance Guide 4: Engagement Core Delivery Guide 5: Communication Guide 6: Infrastructure Guide 7: Value Guide 8: Behaviour Guide 9: Investment Guide 10: Monitoring
• Case Studies Guide 1: Historic Town of Vigan Guide 2: Angkor Guide 2: Ichkeul National Park Guide 3: Melaka and George Town Guide 4: Avebury Guide 4: Old and New Towns of Edinburgh Guide 4: Great Barrier Reef Guide 4: Røros mining town and the circumference Guide 5: Røros Mining Town and the Circumference Guide 6: Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape (United Kingdom) Guide 7: Røros Mining Town and the Circumference Guide 8: Wadi Al-Hitan Guide 9: Land of Frankincense

What this guide 1 will tell you

This guide 1 will help you understand why tourism matters, some key questions you may need to ask and answer, and some ways to fill evidence gaps, such as utilising other partner's resources. Continue reading below to follow our steps to success.

Steps to success

Why this matters.

Every business school in the world teaches, 'If you can't measure it, you can't manage it'. You cannot manage tourism or help shape it in progressive ways without having a basic understanding of what it is, how it affects people and places, and what it can potentially become with some inspired and progressive interventions. To ensure the scarce resources available for tourism development and heritage protection are utilized to their full effect, it is crucial a unified understanding exists across each destination regarding what is successful, what does not work, and what sustainable opportunities exist for growth or development. Not all tourism is good tourism; some forms of tourism are much more sustainable, while others may have a negative effect on the surrounding environment if not managed properly.

Almost all potential sites can benefit from better evidence and data – this is not just a heritage management issue, but a tourism destination issue. It is necessary you work to gather this information . Other places similar to your sites have successfully addressed these questions, and often with limited resources. You may find the examples most relevant to your situation in our Resources page .

Start with the basics define your terms of reference

Be clear on where and what your 'destination' is . A destination is the physical space in which a tourist spends their holiday or vacation. It includes a full range of services, products and experiences :

• The attractions people visit
• The accommodation in which they stay
• The transport arrival hubs
• The food and drink establishments utilised
• The retail outlets in which they shop
• The museums and galleries they visit
• Even the city, town, village, or homes where the local community resides.

A World Heritage site (WHS) can be a destination in itself. However, more often it is located in, or part of, a wider venue, forming the key , or one of the key, attractions of the place concerned. The UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme is based on the need to manage tourism at a destination scale – managing the issues simply within the boundaries of the World Heritage sites would be ineffective.

Defining your broader destination is extremely important in building foundations for sustainable tourism, and it can be particularly helpful to look at how other places have done this already. For example , Angkor Wat WHS is the attraction, but Siem Reap is the destination, or Uluru Kata Tjuta WHS (formerly known as Ayers Rock) is the attraction, while Alice Springs is the destination.

We offer guidance below that addresses tourism challenges at a destination scale. Therefore, it will be important to know and understand the geography of your location  - where it begins and also where it ends.

How much do you know about the destination?

Here are some basic questions you will need to answer about your destination. It may be useful to list your answers in a separate document to refer back to later.

Can you answer all of the following?

• How many tourists do you receive per year?
• How long do they stay in your destination?
• Who are your tourists? Where do they come from?
• Are you attracting the most advantageous segments of the tourism market? How do you perform relative to other comparable destinations?
• How do tourists arrive and move around your destination? Where do they go to afterwards?
• What are their motivations for coming? What do they know about your site?
• What do they care about? Do they understand your outstanding universal value (OUV)?
• What are the positive and negative social, economic, cultural, and ecological impacts caused by visitors? How do they affect the heritage management of the site?
• Where, and by whom or what, are these impacts experienced?
• How many people can your site/destination sustainably cope with and manage?
• Do you understand the scale, quality, capacity, and location of your tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, travel providers, food and drink, leisure, retail)?
• How do your visitors spend their money? Who benefits from this spending? Who does not benefit?
• Who picks up the costs of the heritage?
• Who or what entity must be part of a partnership that would bring about positive changes to your destination?

If you cannot answer these questions , or similar questions specific to your site, you must dedicate some time to trying to find these answers before attempting to change anything. These answers will help you gather the necessary information to begin managing tourism in your location at a destination scale.

The four crucial issues you need to measure and understand, and why

Understanding tourism is the first step to managing your site more effectively. Surprisingly, few World Heritage sites collect accurate data on key tourism indicators. Good data is the key to both being able to monitor threats to the site or the host community, and ensuring interventions are effectively targeted. The following four topics are crucial to fully understanding tourism possibilities at your destination.

1) Supply side

To manage tourism effectively, destinations need to understand the supply side of the process – which involves undertaking an inventory of tourism assets and infrastructure, while assessing the scope for growth and the changes over time. The effectiveness of a destination relies on securing revenue and is heavily dependent upon the location, scale, capacity, and quality of the accommodation, transport system, food and drink, retail, leisure experiences, and visitor attractions. Every destination should have a simple and up to date inventory of its tourism assets and visitor attractions.

2) Demand side

Sites must also understand the demand side of the tourism sector :

• How many people want to visit? Is the demand growing or declining?
• Who are the visitors, and when do they visit?
• Why do they come, and how long do they stay?
• How much do they spend and what do they purchase?
• Where do they come from?
• What do they want to experience, and how do they learn about the site, its values, and the host community?
• Are visitors satisfied with the experience?
• How is all of this changing over time, and does the destination attract the most advantageous visitor segments?

This information is crucial because you may need to use it later for new investment possibilities and new or updated infrastructure . All destinations should at the very least measure visitor satisfaction levels.

3) Community voice – community impacts

It is critical that destinations think carefully about the potential positive and negative impacts that tourism may have on the host community and their intangible cultural heritage. Communicate with the host community to understand their needs, concerns, and aspirations. It is a basic tenet of sustainable tourism that host communities have a voice in shaping the tourism processes that affect them. There is tendency to think about the community's wishes after everything has already been decided – this is a grave mistake and one likely to breed mistrust and apathy on the part of local residents.

4) Heritage, cultural, social, and ecological impacts

Perhaps the most important issue when talking about World Heritage sites is understanding the heritage – what can and cannot happen in its proximity. We would hope that every site has a Heritage Management Plan that is clear about the impacts and opportunities that result from tourism, as well as the areas of concern and issues to be addressed. It is critical for effective heritage management that destination personnel understand and monitor the past, present, and potential future ecological, cultural, and social impacts of tourism. In many sites there will be ways to sustainably manage tourism and tourism growth, but site managers need to understand the point at which impacts are destructive and require intervention. The degree to which tourism businesses provide local career opportunities (with fair wages), equal opportunities, and occupational safety are important and worthy of analysis. Think carefully about 'liveability' as well as the visitor experience. It is also important to monitor risks and negative impacts over time so that areas of concern can be managed in the appropriate way at the appropriate times.

These four areas of action are critical to effective destination management . Every World Heritage site destination should evaluate their knowledge and understanding on these issues. This is not simply some form of onerous conservation regulation. It is as much about developing and managing the destination for the benefit of its businesses and host community, as it is about raising awareness concerning what can and cannot happen at sites recognised as the world's most important and valued historic places or natural landscapes.

Bring together the key data and evidence on your destination in one place

Create a simple inventory of the available evidence on tourism issues in the destination. This will save a lot of time for stakeholders and is a useful exercise for a conservation or management body, as well as for a commercial business.

Knowledge and understanding is powerful so spread it across the destination. Most tourism macro data is not market sensitive. It can usually be shared and analysed publically with no ill effects for the destination (though it may reveal certain weaknesses or difficulties if the destination is doing things less well than it should be). Surprisingly few World Heritage destinations can answer any or all of these questions with any supporting evidence. We would, therefore, recommend that you bring together any available evidence on the destination and make it accessible, as it will empower businesses and others to think strategically about the performance of the tourism sector.

Assess objectively whether enough is known about tourism in your destination

What are the gaps in your knowledge and evidence?

It will become apparent relatively quickly which key questions you cannot answer with the evidence currently available. Make a simple list of the topics you know and understand. Continue with a list of those you do not know, but think would be useful to know. This list is rather important for the stages that follow because you will be able to engage other partners in helping you fill the information gaps you find.

Who can fill the data/evidence gaps?

Identify, link, and connect different stakeholders who have an interest in better tourism. There are many ways to collect data without spending a large sum of money. Many World Heritage sites will be able to establish relationships with local or international universities, colleges, and schools, as well as private businesses willing to devote time, effort, and money to understanding tourism and its associated issues with supporting evidence. If all else fails, engaging interns and volunteers to use simple but robust survey techniques can shed light on the tourism market for the destination as a whole.

The point is that often there are other organisations willing to use the destination as a research location, creating a mutually beneficial relationship for all parties involved. Some destinations already have established Evidence and Impact Forums for interested specialist parties and academics; if asked, a surprisingly wide range of stakeholders could be interested in helping you undertake this research.

Some ways to get started

Do not be daunted by the number of things you do not know… begin your evidence gathering and analysis . You may even start to answer some of the key questions by simply buying a clipboard, standing on the street, and asking visitors some polite questions. If you can ask a couple hundred visitors the right questions , then you will begin formulating insights into tourism at your destination. Likewise, if you contact around 20 tourism businesses via face-to-face interviews or through an online survey , you will begin to create a picture of what is happening at your destination, what is working, and what is not. Simple observations can reveal a great deal – get a map and mark observations concerning crowding, litter, deterioration of the historic environment, or poor visitor experiences. Your efforts may not meet the highest standards of social science, but this is not important.

Some destinations will, of course, be well resourced to hire professional teams of experts to undertake robust analysis of these issues – and that is to be encouraged where possible – but most destinations have to do their best with a range of practical, DIY, and partner solutions. We are not demanding perfect analysis. Rather, we are arguing that some form is essential . If you are lacking an available human workforce, you may encourage visitors to fill out a short survey when booking with hotels or agencies, or leave one in their hotel rooms. If incentivised , perhaps with the possibility of winning tickets to a local show or a free dinner, it has been shown that people are far more likely to complete such surveys. The luckiest, or best-managed locations may already have a destination management organisation happy to lead a data gathering project on tourism, and their work may simply need to be influenced by heritage professionals to widen its scope.

As you gather new evidence make it public . However small your samples or tentative your conclusions, you should make these public so others can respond , help you widen the survey base, or simply disagree with your findings and replace the information with something better. Knowledge is never perfect or finished; it is the process of learning and finding the information that matters.

Assess sustainability meaningfully- can tourism ever be sustainable at your site?

Now that you are collecting and analyzing data, consider whether there are ways other than tourism to share your site and give your community a good quality of life. The global environment faces profound challenges due to our addiction to travel and the consumption of resources at unsustainable levels . Planes, trains, cars, and other forms of transport are a significant contributor to climate change through the burning of fossil fuels, and many communities face significant challenges in terms of water usage and the disposal of waste water and other solid wastes. The world is experiencing unprecedented levels of species extinction through habitat loss for food production, pollution, and over fishing, so now more than ever you need to assess whether you can justify tourism. If you are, in fact, able to do so, assess what kind of tourism can be accommodated that does not contribute negatively to the situation, either directly on a local basis or through externalities (e.g. CO2 emissions) on a global basis.

We need a new kind of tourism that does not contribute to environmental damage, climate change, pollution, and loss of ecosystems. Some sites are already making the tough decision not to open complete access to visitors. Instead they have chosen to share their stories and values through a greater online presence, or offering remote access to the site with accompanying narrative guides– for instance, St Kilda in Scotland is one example. When gathering data to understand tourism in your destination do not duck the toughest question of all – face it and think about it. If the need for tourism is so great and is effectively unavoidable for your community, then think about how you can manage or prevent its direct effects on a local basis. In parallel, find ways to offset or mitigate its externalities on a global basis, such as a scheme for carbon offsetting.

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The Difference Between Tour Guide and Tourist Guide

• 2024-03-07 2024-03-07

When it comes to exploring a new place, many people rely on the expertise of professionals to make their experience more enjoyable and informative. Two terms that often come up in this context are ‘tour guide’ and ‘tourist guide.’ While the names might seem interchangeable, there are actually significant differences between the two roles. In this article, we will explore these differences and understand the unique responsibilities each entails.

1. Tour Guide

A tour guide, as the name suggests, is responsible for guiding a group of tourists through a specific destination. Their primary role is to provide detailed information about the location’s history, culture, traditions, and landmarks. Tour guides are typically well-versed in their area of expertise and possess extensive knowledge of the sites they are showcasing.

Responsibilities of a Tour Guide:

• Conducting guided tours of various attractions and landmarks
• Explaining the historical and cultural significance of the places visited
• Answering questions and providing additional information
• Maintaining a structured itinerary and ensuring that the group stays on schedule
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of the tourists
• Offering recommendations for local restaurants, accommodations, and activities

For example, imagine visiting the magnificent architectural wonders of Rome. A tour guide would take you through the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican, sharing captivating stories and highlighting interesting details about these iconic sites.

2. Tourist Guide

A tourist guide, on the other hand, focuses on providing individualized assistance to tourists. While they may have knowledge about the destination, their primary role is to assist visitors in navigating their way around a new place and ensuring a smooth travel experience. Tourist guides often work in the form of freelancers or are dedicated to a particular travel agency.

Responsibilities of a Tourist Guide:

• Assisting tourists with travel arrangements, such as booking flights, accommodations, and transportation
• Providing recommendations on popular tourist spots, local cuisine, and shopping areas
• Helping tourists communicate with locals by acting as interpreters
• Offering guidance on travel itineraries based on individual preferences
• Resolving any issues or challenges faced by tourists during their trip

Let’s say you’re planning a trip to Thailand. A tourist guide would assist you in finding the best beaches, recommending popular local dishes like Pad Thai, and even help with language barriers when interacting with locals.

Key Differences

While both tour guides and tourist guides play essential roles in enhancing the travel experience, understanding the difference between the two can help you choose the right professional for your needs. If you’re interested in learning about the history and cultural significance of a destination, a tour guide is your go-to person. On the other hand, if you need assistance in making travel arrangements and want personalized recommendations, a tourist guide is the right choice. Remember, both guides have their own unique expertise and can contribute significantly to making your journey unforgettable.

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UN standards for measuring tourism

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Glossary of tourism terms

Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or business/professional purposes. These people are called visitors (which may be either tourists or excursionists; residents or non-residents) and tourism has to do with their activities, some of which involve tourism expenditure.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Activity/activities : In tourism statistics, the term activities represent the actions and behaviors of people in preparation for and during a trip in their capacity as consumers ( IRTS 2008, 1.2 ).

Activity (principal): The principal activity of a producer unit is the activity whose value added exceeds that of any other activity carried out within the same unit ( SNA 2008, 5.8 ).

Activity (productive): The (productive) activity carried out by a statistical unit is the type of production in which it engages. It has to be understood as a process, i.e. the combination of actions that result in a certain set of products. The classification of productive activities is determined by their principal output.

Administrative data : Administrative data is the set of units and data derived from an administrative source. This is a data holding information collected and maintained for the purpose of implementing one or more administrative regulations.

Adventure tourism : Adventure tourism is a type of tourism which usually takes place in destinations with specific geographic features and landscape and tends to be associated with a physical activity, cultural exchange, interaction and engagement with nature. This experience may involve some kind of real or perceived risk and may require significant physical and/or mental effort. Adventure tourism generally includes outdoor activities such as mountaineering, trekking, bungee jumping, rock climbing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, canyoning, mountain biking, bush walking, scuba diving. Likewise, some indoor adventure tourism activities may also be practiced.

Aggregated data : The result of transforming unit level data into quantitative measures for a set of characteristics of a population.

Aggregation : A process that transforms microdata into aggregate-level information by using an aggregation function such as count, sum average, standard deviation, etc.

Analytical unit : Entity created by statisticians, by splitting or combining observation units with the help of estimations and imputations.

Balance of payments : The balance of payments is a statistical statement that summarizes transactions between residents and non-residents during a period. It consists of the goods and services account, the primary income account, the secondary income account, the capital account, and the financial account ( BPM6, 2.12 ).

Bias : An effect which deprives a statistical result of representativeness by systematically distorting it, as distinct from a random error which may distort on any one occasion but balances out on the average.

Business and professional purpose (of a tourism trip): The business and professional purpose of a tourism trip includes the activities of the self-employed and employees, as long as they do not correspond to an implicit or explicit employer-employee relationship with a resident producer in the country or place visited, those of investors, businessmen, etc. ( IRTS 2008, 3.17.2 ).

Business tourism : Business tourism is a type of tourism activity in which visitors travel for a specific professional and/or business purpose to a place outside their workplace and residence with the aim of attending a meeting, an activity or an event. The key components of business tourism are meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions. The term "meetings industry" within the context of business tourism recognizes the industrial nature of such activities. Business tourism can be combined with any other tourism type during the same trip.

Business visitor : A business visitor is a visitor whose main purpose for a tourism trip corresponds to the business and professional category of purpose ( IRTS 2008, 3.17.2 ).

Central Product Classification : The Central Product Classification (CPC) constitutes a complete product classification covering goods and services. It is intended to serve as an international standard for assembling and tabulating all kinds of data requiring product detail, including industrial production, national accounts, service industries, domestic and foreign commodity trade, international trade in services, balance of payments, consumption and price statistics. Other basic aims are to provide a framework for international comparison and promote harmonization of various types of statistics dealing with goods and services.

Census : A census is the complete enumeration of a population or groups at a point in time with respect to well defined characteristics: for example, Population, Production, Traffic on particular roads.

Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism : Coastal tourism refers to land-based tourism activities such as swimming, surfing, sunbathing and other coastal leisure, recreation and sports activities which take place on the shore of a sea, lake or river. Proximity to the coast is also a condition for services and facilities that support coastal tourism. Maritime tourism refers to sea-based activities such as cruising, yachting, boating and nautical sports and includes their respective land-based services and infrastructure. Inland water tourism refers to tourism activities such as cruising, yachting, boating and nautical sports which take place in aquatic- influenced environments located within land boundaries and include lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, groundwater, springs, cave waters and others traditionally grouped as inland wetlands.

Coherence : Adequacy of statistics to be combined in different ways and for various uses.

Competitiveness of a tourism destination : The competitiveness of a tourism destination is the ability of the destination to use its natural, cultural, human, man-made and capital resources efficiently to develop and deliver quality, innovative, ethical and attractive tourism products and services in order to achieve a sustainable growth within its overall vision and strategic goals, increase the added value of the tourism sector, improve and diversify its market components and optimize its attractiveness and benefits both for visitors and the local community in a sustainable perspective.

Consistency : Logical and numerical coherence.

Country of reference : The country of reference refers to the country for which the measurement is done. ( IRTS 2008, 2.15 ).

Country of residence : The country of residence of a household is determined according to the centre of predominant economic interest of its members. If a person resides (or intends to reside) for more than one year in a given country and has there his/her centre of economic interest (for example, where the predominant amount of time is spent), he/she is considered as a resident of this country.

Country-specific tourism characteristic products and activities : To be determined by each country by applying the criteria of IRTS 2008, 5.10 in their own context; for these products, the activities producing them will be considered as tourism characteristic, and the industries in which the principal activity is tourism-characteristic will be called tourism industries ( IRTS 2008, 5.16 ).

Cultural tourism : Cultural tourism is a type of tourism activity in which the visitor's essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products in a tourism destination. These attractions/products relate to a set of distinctive material, intellectual, spiritual and emotional features of a society that encompasses arts and architecture, historical and cultural heritage, culinary heritage, literature, music, creative industries and the living cultures with their lifestyles, value systems, beliefs and traditions.

Data checking : Activity whereby the correctness conditions of the data are verified. It also includes the specification of the type of error or of the condition not met, and the qualification of the data and their division into "error-free data" and "erroneous data".

Data collection : Systematic process of gathering data for official statistics.

Data compilation : Operations performed on data to derive new information according to a given set of rules.

Data confrontation : The process of comparing data that has generally been derived from different surveys or other sources, especially those of different frequencies, in order to assess and possibly improve their coherency, and identify the reasons for any differences.

Data processing : Data processing is the operation performed on data by the organization, institute, agency, etc., responsible for undertaking the collection, tabulation, manipulation and preparation of data and metadata output.

Data reconciliation : The process of adjusting data derived from two different sources to remove, or at least reduce, the impact of differences identified.

Destination (main destination of a trip): The main destination of a tourism trip is defined as the place visited that is central to the decision to take the trip. See also purpose of a tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.31 ).

Destination management / marketing organization (DMO) : A destination management/marketing organization (DMO) is the leading organizational entity which may encompass the various authorities, stakeholders and professionals and facilitates tourism sector partnerships towards a collective destination vision. The governance structures of DMOs vary from a single public authority to a public/ private partnership model with the key role of initiating, coordinating and managing certain activities such as implementation of tourism policies, strategic planning, product development, promotion and marketing and convention bureau activities. The functions of the DMOs may vary from national to regional and local levels depending on the current and potential needs as well as on the decentralization level of public administration. Not every tourism destination has a DMO.

Documentation: Processes and procedures for imputation,  weighting,  confidentiality  and suppression rules, outlier treatment and data capture should be fully documented by the  survey provider.  Such documentation should be made available to at least  the body financing the survey.

Domestic tourism : Domestic tourism comprises the activities of a resident visitor within the country of reference, either as part of a domestic tourism trip or part of an outbound tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.39 ).

Domestic tourism consumption : Domestic tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of a resident visitor within the economy of reference ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

Domestic tourism expenditure : Domestic tourism expenditure is the tourism expenditure of a resident visitor within the economy of reference, (IRTS 2008, 4.15(a)).

Domestic tourism trip : A domestic tourism trip is one with a main destination within the country of residence of the visitor (IRTS 2008, 2.32).

Domestic visitor : As a visitor travels within his/her country of residence, he/she is a domestic visitor and his/her activities are part of domestic tourism.

Durable consumer goods : Durable consumer goods are goods that may be used repeatedly or continuously over a period of a year or more, assuming a normal or average rate of physical usage. When acquired by producers, these are considered to be capital goods used for production processes, as is the case of vehicles, computers, etc. When acquired by households, they are considered to be consumer durable goods ( TSA:RMF 2008, 2.39 ). This definition is identical to the definition of SNA 2008, 9.42 : A consumer durable is a goodthat may be used for purposes of consumption repeatedly or continuously over a period of a year or more.

Dwellings : Each household has a principal dwelling (sometimes also designated as main or primary home), usually defined with reference to time spent there, whose location defines the country of residence and place of usual residence of this household and of all its members. All other dwellings (owned or leased by the household) are considered secondary dwellings ( IRTS 2008, 2.26 ).

Ecotourism : Ecotourism is a type of nature-based tourism activity in which the visitor's essential motivation is to observe, learn, discover, experience and appreciate biological and cultural diversity with a responsible attitude to protect the integrity of the ecosystem and enhance the well-being of the local community. Ecotourism increases awareness towards the conservation of biodiversity, natural environment and cultural assets both among locals and the visitors and requires special management processes to minimize the negative impact on the ecosystem.

Economic analysis : Tourism generates directly and indirectly an increase in economic activity in the places visited (and beyond), mainly due to demand for goods and services thatneed to be produced and provided. In the economic analysis of tourism, one may distinguish between tourism's 'economic contribution' which refers to the direct effect of tourism and is measurable by means of the TSA, and tourism's 'economic impact' which is a much broader concept encapsulating the direct, indirect and induced effects of tourism and which must be estimated by applying models. Economic impact studies aim to quantify economic benefits, that is, the net increase in the wealth of residents resulting from tourism, measured in monetary terms, over and above the levels that would prevail in its absence.

Economic territory : The term "economic territory" is a geographical reference and points to the country for which the measurement is done (country of reference) ( IRTS 2008, 2.15 ).

Economically active population : The economically active population or labour force comprises all persons of either sex who furnish the supply of labour for the production of goods and services as defined by the system of national accounts during a specified time-reference period (ILO, Thirteenth ICLS, 6.18).

Economy (of reference): "Economy" (or "economy of reference") is an economic reference defined in the same way as in the balance of payments and in the system of national accounts: it refers to the economic agents that are resident in the country of reference ( IRTS 2008, 2.15 ).

Education tourism : Education tourism covers those types of tourism which have as a primary motivation the tourist's engagement and experience in learning, self-improvement, intellectual growth and skills development. Education Tourism represents a broad range of products and services related to academic studies, skill enhancement holidays, school trips, sports training, career development courses and language courses, among others.

Employees : Employees are all those workers who hold the type of job defined as "paid employment" (ILO, Fifteenth ICLS, pp. 20-22).

Employer-employee relationship : An employer-employee relationship exists when there is an agreement, which may be formal or informal, between an entity and an individual, normally entered into voluntarily by both parties, whereby the individual works for the entity in return for remuneration in cash or in kind ( BPM6, 11.11 ).

Employers : Employers are those workers who, working on their own account with one or more partners, hold the type of job defined as a "self-employment job" and, in this capacity, on a continuous basis (including the reference period) have engaged one or more persons to work for them in their business as "employee(s)" (ILO, Fifteenth ICLS, pp. 20-22).

Employment : Persons in employment are all persons above a specified age who, during a specified brief period, either one week or one day, were in paid employment or self-employment (OECD GST, p. 170).

Employment in tourism industries : Employment in tourism industries may be measured as a count of the persons employed in tourism industries in any of their jobs, as a count of the persons employed in tourism industries in their main job, or as a count of the jobs in tourism industries ( IRTS 2008, 7.9 ).

Enterprise : An enterprise is an institutional unit engaged in production of goods and/or services. It may be a corporation, a non-profit institution, or an unincorporated enterprise. Corporate enterprises and non-profit institutions are complete institutional units. An unincorporated enterprise, however, refers to an institutional unit —a household or government unit —only in its capacity as a producer of goods and services (OECD BD4, p. 232)

Establishment : An establishment is an enterprise, or part of an enterprise, that is situated in a single location and in which only a single productive activity is carried out or in which the principal productive activity accounts for most of the value added ( SNA 2008, 5.14 ).

Estimation : Estimation is concerned with inference about the numerical value of unknown population values from incomplete data such as a sample. If a single figure is calculated for each unknown parameter the process is called "point estimation". If an interval is calculated within which the parameter is likely, in some sense, to lie, the process is called "interval estimation".

Exports of goods and services : Exports of goods and services consist of sales, barter, or gifts or grants, of goods and services from residents to non-residents (OECD GST, p. 194)

Frame : A list, map or other specification of the units which define a population to be completely enumerated or sampled.

Forms of tourism : There are three basic forms of tourism: domestic tourism, inbound tourism, and outbound tourism. These can be combined in various ways to derive the following additional forms of tourism: internal tourism, national tourism and international tourism.

Gastronomy tourism :  Gastronomy tourism is a type of tourism activity which is characterized by the visitor's experience linked with food and related products and activities while travelling. Along with authentic, traditional, and/or innovative culinary experiences, Gastronomy Tourism may also involve other related activities such as visiting the local producers, participating in food festivals and attending cooking classes. Eno-tourism (wine tourism), as a sub-type of gastronomy tourism, refers to tourism whose purpose is visiting vineyards, wineries, tasting, consuming and/or purchasing wine, often at or near the source.

Goods : Goods are physical, produced objects for which a demand exists, over which ownership rights can be established and whose ownership can be transferred from one institutional unit to another by engaging in transactions on markets ( SNA 2008, p. 623 ).

Gross fixed capital formation : Gross fixed capital formation is defined as the value of institutional units' acquisitions less disposals of fixed assets. Fixed assets are produced assets (such as machinery, equipment, buildings or other structures) that are used repeatedly or continuously in production over several accounting periods (more than one year) ( SNA 2008, 1.52 ).

Gross margin : The gross margin of a provider of reservation services is the difference between the value at which the intermediated service is sold and the value accrued to the provider of reservation services for this intermediated service.

Gross value added : Gross value added is the value of output less the value of intermediate consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, 3.32 ).

Gross value added of tourism industries : Gross value added of tourism industries (GVATI) is the total gross value added of all establishments belonging to tourism industries, regardless of whether all their output is provided to visitors and the degree of specialization of their production process ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.86 ).

Grossing up : Activity aimed at transforming, based on statistical methodology, micro-data from samples into aggregate-level information representative of the target population.

Health tourism : Health tourism covers those types of tourism which have as a primary motivation, the contribution to physical, mental and/or spiritual health through medical and wellness-based activities which increase the capacity of individuals to satisfy their own needs and function better as individuals in their environment and society. Health tourism is the umbrella term for the subtypes wellness tourism and medical tourism.

Imputation : Procedure for entering a value for a specific data item where the response is missing or unusable.

Inbound tourism : Inbound tourism comprises the activities of a non-resident visitor within the country of reference on an inbound tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.39 ).

Inbound tourism consumption : Inbound tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of a non-resident visitor within the economy of reference ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

Inbound tourism expenditure : Inbound tourism expenditure is the tourism expenditure of a non-resident visitor within the economy of reference ( IRTS 2008, 4.15(b) ).

Innovation in tourism : Innovation in tourism is the introduction of a new or improved component which intends to bring tangible and intangible benefits to tourism stakeholders and the local community, improve the value of the tourism experience and the core competencies of the tourism sector and hence enhance tourism competitiveness and /or sustainability. Innovation in tourism may cover potential areas, such as tourism destinations, tourism products, technology, processes, organizations and business models, skills, architecture, services, tools and/or practices for management, marketing, communication, operation, quality assurance and pricing.

Institutional sector : An aggregation of institutional units on the basis of the type of producer and depending on their principal activity and function, which are considered to be indicative of their economic behaviour.

Institutional unit : The elementary economic decision-making centre characterised by uniformity of behaviour and decision-making autonomy in the exercise of its principal function.

Intermediate consumption : Intermediate consumption consists of the value of the goods and services consumed as inputs by a process of production, excluding fixed assets whose consumption is recorded as consumption of fixed capital ( SNA 2008, 6.213 ).

Internal tourism : Internal tourism comprises domestic tourism and inbound tourism, that is to say, the activities of resident and non-resident visitors within the country of reference as part of domestic or international tourism trips ( IRTS 2008, 2.40(a) ).

Internal tourism consumption : Internal tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of both resident and non-resident visitors within the economy of reference. It is the sum of domestic tourism consumption and inbound tourism consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

Internal tourism expenditure : Internal tourism expenditure comprises all tourism expenditure of visitors, both resident and non-resident, within the economy of reference. It is the sum of domestic tourism expenditure and inbound tourism expenditure. It includes acquisition of goods and services imported into the country of reference and sold to visitors. This indicator provides the most comprehensive measurement of tourism expenditure in the economy of reference ( IRTS 2008, 4.20(a) ).

International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities : The International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) consists of a coherent and consistent classification structure of economic activities based on a set of internationally agreed concepts, definitions, principles and classification rules. It provides a comprehensive framework within which economic data can be collected and reported in a format that is designed for purposes of economic analysis, decision-taking and policymaking. The classification structure represents a standard format to organize detailed information about the state of an economy according to economic principles and perceptions (ISIC, Rev.4, 1).

International tourism : International tourism comprises inbound tourism and outbound tourism, that is to say, the activities of resident visitors outside the country of reference, either as part of domestic or outbound tourism trips and the activities of non-resident visitors within the country of reference on inbound tourism trips ( IRTS 2008, 2.40(c) ).

International visitor : An international traveller qualifies as an international visitor with respect to the country of reference if: (a) he/she is on a tourism trip and (b) he/she is a non-resident travelling in the country of reference or a resident travelling outside of it ( IRTS 2008, 2.42 ).

Job : The agreement between an employee and the employer defines a job and each self-employed person has a job ( SNA 2008, 19.30 ).

Measurement error : Error in reading, calculating or recording numerical value.

Medical tourism : Medical tourism is a type of tourism activity which involves the use of evidence-based medical healing resources and services (both invasive and non-invasive). This may include diagnosis, treatment, cure, prevention and rehabilitation.

Meetings industry : To highlight purposes relevant to the meetings industry, if a trip's main purpose is business/professional, it can be further subdivided into "attending meetings, conferences or congresses, trade fairs and exhibitions" and "other business and professional purposes". The term meetings industry is preferred by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Reed Travel over the acronym MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) which does not recognize the industrial nature of such activities.

Metadata : Data that defines and describes other data and processes.

MICE : See meetings industry.

Microdata : Non-aggregated observations, or measurements of characteristics of individual units.

Mirror statistics : Mirror statistics are used to conduct bilateral comparisons of two basic measures of a trade flow and are a traditional tool for detecting the causes of asymmetries in statistics (OECD GST, p. 335).

Mountain tourism : Mountain tourism is a type of tourism activity which takes place in a defined and limited geographical space such as hills or mountains with distinctive characteristics and attributes that are inherent to a specific landscape, topography, climate, biodiversity (flora and fauna) and local community. It encompasses a broad range of outdoor leisure and sports activities.

National tourism : National tourism comprises domestic tourism and outbound tourism, that is to say, the activities of resident visitors within and outside the country of reference, either as part of domestic or outbound tourism trips ( IRTS 2008, 2.40(b) ).

National tourism consumption : National tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of resident visitors, within and outside the economy of reference. It is the sum of domestic tourism consumption and outbound tourism consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

National tourism expenditure : National tourism expenditure comprises all tourism expenditure of resident visitors within and outside the economy of reference. It is the sum of domestic tourism expenditure and outbound tourism expenditure ( IRTS 2008, 4.20(b) ).

Nationality : The concept of "country of residence" of a traveller is different from that of his/her nationality or citizenship ( IRTS 2008, 2.19 ).

Non-monetary indicators : Data measured in physical or other non-monetary units should not be considered a secondary part of a satellite account. They are essential components, both for the information they provide directly and in order to analyse the monetary data adequately ( SNA 2008, 29.84 ).

Observation unit : entity on which information is received and statistics are compiled.

Outbound tourism : Outbound tourism comprises the activities of a resident visitor outside the country of reference, either as part of an outbound tourism trip or as part of a domestic tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.39(c) ).

Outbound tourism consumption : Outbound tourism consumption is the tourism consumption of a resident visitor outside the economy of reference ( TSA:RMF 2008, figure 2.1 ).

Outbound tourism expenditure : Outbound tourism expenditure is the tourism expenditure of a resident visitor outside the economy of reference ( IRTS 2008, 4.15(c) ).

Output : Output is defined as the goods and services produced by an establishment, a) excluding the value of any goods and services used in an activity for which the establishment does not assume the risk of using the products in production, and b) excluding the value of goods and services consumed by the same establishment except for goods and services used for capital formation (fixed capital or changes in inventories) or own final consumption ( SNA 2008, 6.89 ).

Output (main): The main output of a (productive) activity should be determined by reference to the value added of the goods sold or services rendered (ISIC rev.4, 114).

Pilot survey : The aim of a pilot survey is to test the questionnaire (pertinence of the questions, understanding of questions by those being interviewed, duration of the interview) and to check various potential sources for sampling and non-sampling errors: for instance, the place in which the surveys are carried out and the method used, the identification of any omitted answers and the reason for the omission, problems of communicating in various languages, translation, the mechanics of data collection, the organization of field work, etc.

Place of usual residence : The place of usual residence is the geographical place where the enumerated person usually resides, and is defined by the location of his/her principal dwelling (Principles and recommendations for population and housing censuses of the United Nations, 2.20 to 2.24).

Probability sample : A sample selected by a method based on the theory of probability (random process), that is, by a method involving knowledge of the likelihood of any unit being selected.

Production account : The production account records the activity of producing goods and services as defined within the SNA. Its balancing item, gross value added, is defined as the value of output less the value of intermediate consumption and is a measure of the contribution to GDP made by an individual producer, industry or sector. Gross value added is the source from which the primary incomes of the SNA are generated and is therefore carried forward into the primary distribution of income account. Value added and GDP may also be measured net by deducting consumption of fixed capital, a figure representing the decline in value during the period of the fixed capital used in a production process ( SNA 2008, 1.17 ).

Production : Economic production may be defined as an activity carried out under the control and responsibility of an institutional unit that uses inputs of labour, capital, and goods and services to produce outputs of goods or services ( SNA 2008, 6.24. ).

Purpose of a tourism trip (main): The main purpose of a tourism trip is defined as the purpose in the absence of which the trip would not have taken place ( IRTS 2008, 3.10. ). Classification of tourism trips according to the main purpose refers to nine categories: this typology allows the identification of different subsets of visitors (business visitors, transit visitors, etc.) See also destination of a tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 3.14 ).

Quality of a tourism destination : Quality of a tourism destination is the result of a process which implies the satisfaction of all tourism product and service needs, requirements and expectations of the consumer at an acceptable price, in conformity with mutually accepted contractual conditions and the implicit underlying factors such as safety and security, hygiene, accessibility, communication, infrastructure and public amenities and services. It also involves aspects of ethics, transparency and respect towards the human, natural and cultural environment. Quality, as one of the key drivers of tourism competitiveness, is also a professional tool for organizational, operational and perception purposes for tourism suppliers.

Questionnaire and Questionnaire design : Questionnaire is a group or sequence of questions designed to elicit information on a subject, or sequence of subjects, from a reporting unit or from another producer of official statistics. Questionnaire design is the design (text, order, and conditions for skipping) of the questions used to obtain the data needed for the survey.

Reference period : The period of time or point in time to which the measured observation is intended to refer.

Relevance : The degree to which statistics meet current and potential users' needs.

Reliability : Closeness of the initial estimated value to the subsequent estimated value.

Reporting unit : Unit that supplies the data for a given survey instance, like a questionnaire or interview. Reporting units may, or may not, be the same as the observation unit.

Residents/non-residents : The residents of a country are individuals whose centre of predominant economic interest is located in its economic territory. For a country, the non-residents are individuals whose centre of predominant economic interest is located outside its economic territory.

Response and non-response : Response and non-response to various elements of a survey entail potential errors.

Response error : Response errors may be defined as those arising from the interviewing process. Such errors may be due to a number of circumstances, such as inadequate concepts or questions; inadequate training; interviewer failures; respondent failures.

Rural tourism : Rural tourism is a type of tourism activity in which the visitor's experience is related to a wide range of products generally linked to nature-based activities, agriculture, rural lifestyle / culture, angling and sightseeing. Rural tourism activities take place in non-urban (rural) areas with the following characteristics:

• Low population density;
• Landscape and land-use dominated by agriculture and forestry; and
• Traditional social structure and lifestyle

Same-day visitor (or excursionist): A visitor (domestic, inbound or outbound) is classified as a tourist (or overnight visitor), if his/her trip includes an overnight stay, or as a same-day visitor (or excursionist) otherwise ( IRTS 2008, 2.13 ).

Sample : A subset of a frame where elements are selected based on a process with a known probability of selection.

Sample survey : A survey which is carried out using a sampling method.

Sampling error : That part of the difference between a population value and an estimate thereof, derived from a random sample, which is due to the fact that only a subset of the population is enumerated.

Satellite accounts : There are two types of satellite accounts, serving two different functions. The first type, sometimes called an internal satellite, takes the full set of accounting rules and conventions of the SNA but focuses on a particular aspect of interest by moving away from the standard classifications and hierarchies. Examples are tourism, coffee production and environmental protection expenditure. The second type, called an external satellite, may add non-economic data or vary some of the accounting conventions or both. It is a particularly suitable way to explore new areas in a research context. An example may be the role of volunteer labour in the economy ( SNA 2008, 29.85 ).

SDMX, Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange : Set of technical standards and content-oriented guidelines, together with an IT architecture and tools, to be used for the efficient exchange and sharing of statistical data and metadata (SDMX).

Seasonal adjustment : Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique to remove the effects of seasonal calendar influences on a series. Seasonal effects usually reflect the influence of the seasons themselves, either directly or through production series related to them, or social conventions. Other types of calendar variation occur as a result of influences such as number of days in the calendar period, the accounting or recording practices adopted or the incidence of moving holidays.

Self-employment job : Self-employment jobs are those jobs where remuneration is directly dependent upon the profits (or the potential of profits) derived from the goods or services produced.

Self-employed with paid employees : Self-employed with paid employees are classified as employers.

Self-employed without employees : Self-employed without employees are classified as own-account workers.

Services : Services are the result of a production activity that changes the conditions of the consuming units, or facilitates the exchange of products or financial assets. They cannot be traded separately from their production. By the time their production is completed, they must have been provided to the consumers ( SNA 2008, 6.17 ).

Social transfers in kind : A special case of transfers in kind is that of social transfers in kind. These consist of goods and services provided by general government and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs) that are delivered to individual households. Health and education services are the prime examples. Rather than provide a specified amount of money to be used to purchase medical and educational services, the services are often provided in kind to make sure that the need for the services is met. (Sometimes the recipient purchases the service and is reimbursed by the insurance or assistance scheme. Such a transaction is still treated as being in kind because the recipient is merely acting as the agent of the insurance scheme) (SNA 2008, 3.83).

Sports tourism : Sports tourism is a type of tourism activity which refers to the travel experience of the tourist who either observes as a spectator or actively participates in a sporting event generally involving commercial and non-commercial activities of a competitive nature.

Standard classification : Classifications that follow prescribed rules and are generally recommended and accepted.

Statistical error : The unknown difference between the retained value and the true value.

Statistical indicator : A data element that represents statistical data for a specified time, place, and other characteristics, and is corrected for at least one dimension (usually size) to allow for meaningful comparisons.

Statistical metadata : Data about statistical data.

Statistical unit : Entity about which information is sought and about which statistics are compiled. Statistical units may be identifiable legal or physical entities or statistical constructs.

Survey : An investigation about the characteristics of a given population by means of collecting data from a sample of that population and estimating their characteristics through the systematic use of statistical methodology.

System of National Accounts : The System of National Accounts (SNA) is the internationally agreed standard set of recommendations on how to compile measures of economic activity in accordance with strict accounting conventions based on economic principles. The recommendations are expressed in terms of a set of concepts, definitions, classifications and accounting rules that comprise the internationally agreed standard for measuring indicators of economic performance. The accounting framework of the SNA allows economic data to be compiled and presented in a format that is designed for purposes of economic analysis, decision-taking and policymaking ( SNA 2008, 1.1 ).

Total tourism internal demand : Total tourism internal demand, is the sum of internal tourism consumption, tourism gross fixed capital formation and tourism collective consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.114 ). It does not include outbound tourism consumption.

Tourism : Tourism refers to the activity of visitors ( IRTS 2008, 2.9 ).

Tourism characteristic activities : Tourism characteristic activities are the activities that typically produce tourism characteristic products. As the industrial origin of a product (the ISIC industry that produces it) is not a criterion for the aggregation of products within a similar CPC category, there is no strict one-to-one relationship between products and the industries producing them as their principal outputs ( IRTS 2008, 5.11 ).

Tourism characteristic products : Tourism characteristic products are those that satisfy one or both of the following criteria: a) Tourism expenditure on the product should represent a significant share total tourism expenditure (share-of-expenditure/demand condition); b) Tourism expenditure on the product should represent a significant share of the supply of the product in the economy (share-of-supply condition). This criterion implies that the supply of a tourism characteristic product would cease to exist in meaningful quantity in the absence of visitors ( IRTS 2008, 5.10 ).

Tourism connected products : Their significance within tourism analysis for the economy of reference is recognized although their link to tourism is very limited worldwide. Consequently, lists of such products will be country-specific ( IRTS 2008, 5.12 ).

Tourism consumption : Tourism consumption has the same formal definition as tourism expenditure. Nevertheless, the concept of tourism consumption used in the Tourism Satellite Account goes beyond that of tourism expenditure. Besides the amount paid for the acquisition of consumption goods and services, as well as valuables for own use or to give away, for and during tourism trips, which corresponds to monetary transactions (the focus of tourism expenditure), it also includes services associated with vacation accommodation on own account, tourism social transfers in kind and other imputed consumption. These transactions need to be estimated using sources different from information collected directly from the visitors, such as reports on home exchanges, estimations of rents associated with vacation homes, calculations of financial intermediation services indirectly measured (FISIM), etc. ( TSA:RMF 2008, 2.25 ).

Tourism destination : A tourism destination is a physical space with or without administrative and/or analytical boundaries in which a visitor can spend an overnight. It is the cluster (co-location) of products and services, and of activities and experiences along the tourism value chain and a basic unit of analysis of tourism. A destination incorporates various stakeholders and can network to form larger destinations. It is also intangible with its image and identity which may influence its market competitiveness.

Tourism direct gross domestic product : Tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP) is the sum of the part of gross value added (at basic prices) generated by all industries in response to internal tourism consumption plus the amount of net taxes on products and imports included within the value of this expenditure at purchasers' prices ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.96 ).

Tourism direct gross value added : Tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) is the part of gross value added generated by tourism industries and other industries of the economy that directly serve visitors in response to internal tourism consumption ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.88 ).

Tourism expenditure : Tourism expenditure refers to the amount paid for the acquisition of consumption goods and services, as well as valuables, for own use or to give away, for and during tourism trips. It includes expenditures by visitors themselves, as well as expenses that are paid for or reimbursed by others ( IRTS 2008, 4.2 ).

Tourism industries : The tourism industries comprise all establishments for which the principal activity is a tourism characteristic activity. Tourism industries (also referred to as tourism activities) are the activities that typically producetourism characteristic products. The term tourism industries is equivalent to tourism characteristic activities and the two terms are sometimes used synonymously in the IRTS 2008, 5.10, 5.11 and figure 5.1 .

Tourism product : A tourism product is a combination of tangible and intangible elements, such as natural, cultural and man-made resources, attractions, facilities, services and activities around a specific center of interest which represents the core of the destination marketing mix and creates an overall visitor experience including emotional aspects for the potential customers. A tourism product is priced and sold through distribution channels and it has a life-cycle.

Tourism ratio : For each variable of supply in the Tourism Satellite Account, the tourism ratiois the ratio between the total value of tourism share and total value of the corresponding variable in the Tourism Satellite Account expressed in percentage form ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.56 ). (See also Tourism share).

Tourism Satellite Account : The Tourism Satellite Account is the second international standard on tourism statistics (Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework 2008 –TSA:RMF 2008) that has been developed in order to present economic data relative to tourism within a framework of internal and external consistency with the rest of the statistical system through its link to the System of National Accounts. It is the basic reconciliation framework of tourism statistics. As a statistical tool for the economic accounting of tourism, the TSA can be seen as a set of 10 summary tables, each with their underlying data and representing a different aspect of the economic data relative to tourism: inbound, domestic tourism and outbound tourism expenditure, internal tourism expenditure, production accounts of tourism industries, the Gross Value Added (GVA) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) attributable to tourism demand, employment, investment, government consumption, and non-monetary indicators.

Tourism Satellite Account aggregates : The compilation of the following aggregates, which represent a set of relevant indicators of the size of tourism in an economy is recommended ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.81 ):

• Internal tourism expenditure;
• Internal tourism consumption;
• Gross value added of tourism industries (GVATI);
• Tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA);
• Tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP).

Tourism sector : The tourism sector, as contemplated in the TSA, is the cluster of production units in different industries that provide consumption goods and services demanded by visitors. Such industries are called tourism industries because visitor acquisition represents such a significant share of their supply that, in the absence of visitors, their production of these would cease to exist in meaningful quantity.

Tourism share : Tourism share is the share of the corresponding fraction of internal tourism consumption in each component of supply ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.51 ). For each industry, the tourism share of output (in value), is the sum of the tourism share corresponding to each product component of its output ( TSA:RMF 2008, 4.55 ). (See also Tourism ratio ).

Tourism single-purpose consumer durable goods : Tourism single-purpose consumer durables is a specific category of consumer durable goods that include durable goods that are used exclusively, or almost exclusively, by individuals while on tourism trips ( TSA:RMF 2008 , 2.41 and Annex 5 ).

Tourism trip : Trips taken by visitors are tourism trips ( IRTS 2008, 2.29 ).

Tourist (or overnight visitor): A visitor (domestic, inbound or outbound) is classified as a tourist (or overnight visitor), if his/her trip includes an overnight stay, or as a same-day visitor (or excursionist) otherwise ( IRTS 2008, 2.13 ).

Tourism value chain : The tourism value chain is the sequence of primary and support activities which are strategically fundamental for the performance of the tourism sector. Linked processes such as policy making and integrated planning, product development and packaging, promotion and marketing, distribution and sales and destination operations and services are the key primary activities of the tourism value chain. Support activities involve transport and infrastructure, human resource development, technology and systems development and other complementary goods and services which may not be related to core tourism businesses but have a high impact on the value of tourism.

Travel / traveller : Travel refers to the activity of travellers. A traveller is someone who moves between different geographic locations, for any purpose and any duration ( IRTS 2008, 2.4 ). The visitor is a particular type of traveller and consequently tourism is a subset of travel.

Travel group : A travel group is made up of individuals or travel parties travelling together: examples are people travelling on the same package tour or youngsters attending a summer camp ( IRTS 2008, 3.5 ).

Travel item (in balance of payments): Travel is an item of the goods and services account of the balance of payments: travel credits cover goods and services for own use or to give away acquired from an economy by non-residents during visits to that economy. Travel debits cover goods and services for own use or to give away acquired from other economies by residents during visits to other economies ( BPM6, 10.86 ).

Travel party : A travel party is defined as visitors travelling together on a trip and whose expenditures are pooled ( IRTS 2008, 3.2 ).

Trip : A trip refers to the travel by a person from the time of departure from his/her usual residence until he/she returns: it thus refers to a round trip. Trips taken by visitors are tourism trips.

Urban/city tourism : Urban/city tourism is a type of tourism activity which takes place in an urban space with its inherent attributes characterized by non-agricultural based economy such as administration, manufacturing, trade and services and by being nodal points of transport. Urban/city destinations offer a broad and heterogeneous range of cultural, architectural, technological, social and natural experiences and products for leisure and business.

Usual environment: The usual environment of an individual, a key concept in tourism, is defined as the geographical area (though not necessarily a contiguous one) within which an individual conducts his/her regular life routines ( IRTS 2008, 2.21 ).

Usual residence : The place of usual residence is the geographical place where the enumerated person usually resides (Principles and recommendations for population and housing censuses of the United Nations, 2.16 to 2.18).

Vacation home : A vacation home (sometimes also designated as a holiday home) is a secondary dwelling that is visited by the members of the household mostly for purposes of recreation, vacation or any other form of leisure ( IRTS 2008, 2.27 ).

Valuables : Valuables are produced goods of considerable value that are not used primarily for purposes of production or consumption but are held as stores of value over time ( SNA 2008, 10.13 ).

Visit : A trip is made up of visits to different places.The term "tourism visit" refers to a stay in a place visited during a tourism trip ( IRTS 2008, 2.7 and 2.33 ).

Visitor : A visitor is a traveller taking a trip to a main destination outside his/her usual environment, for less than a year, for any main purpose (business, leisure or other personal purpose) other than to be employed by a resident entity in the country or place visited ( IRTS 2008, 2.9 ). A visitor (domestic, inbound or outbound) is classified as a tourist (or overnight visitor), if his/her trip includes an overnight stay, or as a same-day visitor (or excursionist) otherwise ( IRTS 2008, 2.13 ).

Wellness tourism : Wellness tourism is a type of tourism activity which aims to improve and balance all of the main domains of human life including physical, mental, emotional, occupational, intellectual and spiritual. The primary motivation for the wellness tourist is to engage in preventive, proactive, lifestyle-enhancing activities such as fitness, healthy eating, relaxation, pampering and healing treatments.

Example sentences travel guide

By the end of 2006, she realised that her book and fledgeling travel guide business needed her full attention, so she left her job.

I may - do - disagree with that, but let's hear it for any travel guide prepared to put an opinion bluntly on the line.

I can research hotels around the world without ever buying a travel guide , find out what other guests thought of them and book them instantly.

As well as acting as a travel guide , this covers all nature, you'll find plenty of food for thought here.

Oh, and lifeguards, and any sort of travel guide .

Definition of 'guide' guide

Definition of 'travel' travel

COBUILD Collocations travel guide

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Why Definitions Matter ... .... .... .... .. .. .. .. ......

DEFINITION OF A TOURIST GUIDE  

2003 saw an important milestone in the establishment and recognition of the profession. In that year the European Standards body (CEN) agreed a new standard that defined tourism definitions. EN13809:2003 included the following definition of tourist guide:

Tourist guide: “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 authorities.”

This definition was the culmination years of discussion and built on groundwork carried out before CEN’s involvement. This particularly included an accord with the International Association of Tour Managers (IATM) which delineated the differences between that profession and the tourist guiding profession. The essence of the differences was carried through into EN13809 where both professions were defined as well as a further definition of Tour Escort.

The initial importance of the standard was that the definition had been agreed by the consensus of all the stakeholders present which included expert stakeholders from across tourism, not just from tourist guiding. The tourist guide representatives took part through national standards bodies who were involved which, for the UK was the British Standards Institute, as well as through The Federation of European Tourist Guide Associations (FEG) that were observers. The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) also ratified the definition. From the wider tourism industry specifically IATM and the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) were present as observers and both agreed the definitions. EN13809 was consequently embraced in a number of national standards across Europe that mirrored the European Standard. With this milestone the term Tourist Guide had finally been recognised right across tourism and defined, among other things, as normally area specific and linked to people (visitors).

What was NOT defined in EN13809 was the label Tour Guide. The use of Tour Guide had long been problematical. Its generic nature had often been used as a catch all phrase to include several tourism professions making it unclear as to exactly which professional was meant. This lack of clarity created problems. It failed to appreciate the different but specific professions involved to the detriment of all of them, especially if it gave an impression that they were completely interchangeable. It could also be used to push down or dilute quality and standards for commercial gain. Separately use of the phrase could cause confusion for consumers who had no certain idea of what service they were getting or whether someone was indeed qualified to provide it. EN13809 could therefore be seen as a move by the tourism industry as a whole to provide much needed clarity (and transparency) by defining terms right across the industry to the benefit of those working in it and to consumers. Finally with the Standard those who buy tourism products and services would be fully aware of what they were buying.  

Since 2003 the issues outlined in the last paragraph have decidedly not gone away. There have been challenging discussions with the EU particularly in relation to the area-specific nature of tourist guiding and provision of cross border services. By 2010 ETOA was active in using ‘tour guide’ to establish a pan-european ID card which perpetuated many of the problems listed above. They have also worked to see the EU introduce a different EU-wide tour guiding definition which yet again would include all professions and the services they provide in one generic phrase, ‘tour guide’. A paper for the APTG liaison Committee at the time pointed out that, ‘If such a definition was ever implemented – general and vague enough to cover all these persons – the consequence would without any doubt be that when a consumer buys a “guided” excursion he/she will not have any idea of the quality or minimum qualification of the person engaged to conduct the tour. This would be a serious step backwards at a time when quality and standards are the two keys aims throughout most of the industry.’

In contrast, in one sense building built on EN13809, in 2008 CEN completed the agreement on a European Standard for the Provision of Tourist Guide Training and Qualification Training Programmes. EN15565:2008 set out the area specific and European specific knowledge and practical skills needed in tourist guide training. The Standard has been used as a benchmark for training in a number of European countries, including recognition by The Institute of Tourist Guiding and Scottish Tourist Guide Association in the UK.

Periodically all European Standards are considered for review. Neither EN13809 or EN15565 have been revisited for review. Although there have been deliberate attempts to undermine the definition, Tourist Guide has endured as the clear, transparent and relevant definition of the profession.

Author: Tom Hooper, British Standards Institute UK expert  

Note for information: Richard Skinner and Tom Hooper were both British Standards Institute (BSI) UK experts and Tom was BSI UK lead expert for EN15565. Ingrid Wallenborg was instrumental in creating awareness of a number of issues involved as a member of FEG ExCo and Themis Halvantzi-Stringer as an APTG Co-Chair. My thanks to for their valuable input into this article. TH

Tom is a professionally qualified blue badge tourist guide who is based in London. He is a founder President of the Institute of Tourist Guiding, sat as an executive officer of The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) and is a past President of The Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG). He has been a U.K. lead expert for the British Standards Institute (BSI) and was awarded an MBE by HM The Queen for services to tourism.

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What Is A Tourist Guide ?

Tourist Guides are often one of the first people to welcome tourists and the last to bid them farewell. Their role is to enhance our visitors' experience and be ambassadors for South Africa as a tourist destination.

Definition of Tourist Guide

Tourist Guides act as ambassadors of the country, 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. ​

Various international organizations such as the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations (WFTGA) define a tourist guide as the person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of​ an area, which person may possess an area specific qualification. Such specifications are usually issued and/or recognized by the appropriate authority.

A tourist guide is someone who points out the way and leads others on a trip or tour. Generally, a tourist guide will work at a specific location, city or province. In some cases, guides qualify to guide throughout an entire country.

According to the Tourism Act No. 3 of 2014, Tourist guide means any person registered as such under section 50 and who for reward accompanies any person who travels within or visits any place within the Republic and who furnishes such person with information or comments.

Importance of Tourist Guides

Tourist guiding is a very critical component of the tourism value chain. They play an essential role in ensuring repeat tourist visitation to South Africa through creating a positive image of our country.

In South Africa, tourist guiding is a regulated profession governed by national legislation and policies. Any person that would like to become a tourist guide must undergo training as part of a formal qualification registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Upon being deemed competent, such person will receive a certificate issued by the Culture, Arts,​ Tourism Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), Such person must then apply to the relevant Provincial Registrar to be registered in order to operate legally. This process unfolds as prescribed in the Tourism Act, 2014 and the Regulations in respect of Tourist Guides, 1994 and 2001 respectively. ​

Characteristics of Tourist Guides

The role and function of a guide is to organise, inform and entertain. Guides are mainly freelance and self-employed. Work is often seasonal and​ may involve working during unsociable hours. Work is usually obtained through direct contact with tour operators and other agencies and therefore, guides must be self-sufficient and be able to market themselves.

The manner in which tourist guides interact and treat tourists is very important because it gives a lasting impression about the country in general. The Code of Conduct and Ethics that tourist guides signs prescribes the way in which qualified, legally registered tourist guides must conduct themselves whilst on duty. Registered tourist guides who fail to abide by the Code of Conduct and Ethics could be subjected to formal disciplinary hearings and be charged with ​misconduct.

LEGISLATIVE MATTERS

In South Africa tourist guiding is a regulated sector governed by national legislation and policies. Any person who wishes to become a tourist guide must undergo training as part of a formal qualification registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

When they are deemed competent, they are awarded a certificate issued by the Culture, Arts, Tourism Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) or through an Institution of Higher Learning that offers tourist guiding programmes recognized by SAQA. Then they apply to the relevant Provincial Registrar to be registered as a tourist guide.

There are three main prescripts that govern the Tourist Guiding sector and they are:

• Tourism​ Act no. 3 of 2014.
• Regulations or Tourist Guides, 1994 and2001 respectively.
• The Code of Conduct and Ethics  

The Act defines the scope of tourist guiding and provides a framework for the conduct and governance of the tourist guiding profession. The Act, therefore, makes provision for:

the establishment of the office of the National Registrar and Provincial Registrars of Tourist Guides with clearly defined roles and responsibilities; the development of a Code of Conduct​ and Ethics for tourist guides; and a framework and procedures for complaints, discipline, appeals and reviews, prohibitions, and disputes. Individuals considering pursuing a career in tourist guiding must first complete the training and assessment process with a Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education Training Authority (CATHSSETA)-accredited training provider, and then register with the relevant Provincial Registrar.

This Act came into effect on 7 April 2014. Chapter 6 of the Act deals with the following matters relating to tourist guiding.

The roles and responsibilities of the National Registrar and Provincial Registrars. The procedure relating to registration of tourist guides  The procedure relating to complaints, disciplinary measures, prohibitions, disputes appeals, and reviews.

Regulations in respect of tourist guiding 2001

The Regulations explains and elaborates on matters prescribed by the Act by setting out: a procedure to be followed when registering tourist guides and drafting the Code of Conduct and Ethics. The Regulations also includes endorsements and suspension procedures and provides details of the fines to be levied for non-compliance and the procedures for appeals to be lodged.

The code of conduct and ethics

This code outlines the way in which qualified, legally registered guides must conduct themselves.

It requires tourist guides to:

take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of a tourist whom they are accompanying; and render services that comply with any norms and standards.

TRAINING OF TOURIST GUIDES

Tourist guides must be trained by accredited training providers for their application for registration to be considered. Tourist guides are responsible for verifying the registration status of the training providers before the commencement of training.​

A full list of accredited training providers and assessors can be obtained on the Culture Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) website www.cathsseta.org . ​Information about tourist guiding programs which are recognised by SAQA can be obtained from the SAQA website www.sa ​qa.org.za. Alternatively, inquiries can be made at the Tourist Guides Registration Offices across Provinces.

List of accredited training providers

Provincial Registrars are appointed in each of the nine provinces to register tourist guides. In order to be registered as a tourist guide in

South Africa, a person must meet the following minimum requirements:

• be a South African citizen or be in possession of a valid work permit;
• must have undergone training with a CATHSSETA-accredited training provider or any other accredited institution which offers programs recognized by SAQA;
• be in possession of a valid first-aid certificate from an institution recognized by the Department of Labour;
• pay a registration fee of R240 (Renewable every 3 years)
• submit 4 passport-size photos;
• must submit a completed and signed registration form and the code of conduct and ethics upon registration.

​​​​​Tourist Guide Registrars

The National Registrar of Tourist Guides, in conjunction with the Provincial Registrars, facilitates the maintenance of the Central Tourist Guides Register as well as the registration of Tourist Guides at the provincial level.

Definition of Professional: "Person formally certified by a registered professional body of belonging to a specific profession by virtue of having completed a required course of studies and/or practice. And whose competence can usually be measured by an established set of standards."

Membership to the Institute of Professional Tourist Guides Southern Africa (IPTGSA)

Membership in the Institute of Professional Tourist Guides Southern Africa (IPTGSA) is a professional designation to strive for with hard work and dedication. Professional status is not just handed to a certain few, but earned by any tourist guide that has made guiding his/her profession.

Membership Categories

• Aspirant Membership An Aspirant Member complies with most application criteria save for time-related experience. The membership fee is 50% of Full membership.
• Professional Membership . Any registered Tourist Guide complying with application requirements.
• Honorary Membership. The EXCO may grant Honorary Membership to any person or organisation who, in its opinion, has contributed significantly to furthering the objectives of the Institute or has been a continuous full member for 10 years.

Membership will be annually and run from the first date when registration was issued. Renewal is required to be done before the expiry date as a break in continuity, for more than 3 months, will constitute a resignation and full application will be required for re-registration.

Tourist Guide Code of Ethics

A Professional Tourist Guide must conform to the Tourist Guide Code of Ethics. The code states that a guide:

• A Professional Tourist Guide SHALL:
• uphold the principles of the South African Constitution, especially chapters one and two.
• embrace and uphold the principles of The Institute of Professional Tourist Guides of Southern Africa
• at all times show a willingness to provide optimum support and quality service to all tourists, and will allow tourists to enjoy, or visit the desired destination.
• in no way discriminate in rendering service to any tourist on any basis, e.g. colour, gender, ethnicity, nationality, physical challenge, age, etc.
• be impartial, unbiased and positive, and represent South Africa objectively.
• be suitably dressed and presentable at all times.
• be punctual, reliable, honest, conscientious, and tactful at all times.
• be a responsible driver, when driving as a guide.
• carry out the program/itinerary of a tour to his / her best abilities and be loyal to the company/organisation that he/she is representing.
• deal with conflict in a sensitive and responsible manner.
• report any incident of injury or death to a nearby tourist authority or a police station.
• be knowledgeable and shall assist tourists and not provide them with misleading information.
• in the event of not being familiar with, or being unable to provide the information requested by a tourist, consult with the appropriate authorities for assistance.
• at no time be under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic substance, while on duty, and shall refrain from administering any medication to a client without proper medical consultation.
• never solicit for clients or gratuities.
• be concerned at all times for the safety of the tourist.
• wear the appropriate tourist guide badge and will carry his/her registration card.
• treat all people, cultures, and the environment with respect.

What is a Tourist Guide?

EN 13809 2003/ ENISO 18513 2003 Adopted by World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations: 10th International Convention: Dunblane, United Kingdom 2003

Tourist Guide: A person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area in which a person normally possesses an area-specific qualification usually issued and/or recognised by the appropriate authority.

This is distinct from a tour manager defined by CEN as follows:

Tour Manager/Tour Director or Escort:  A Person who manages an itinerary on behalf of the tour operator ensuring the program is carried out as described in the tour operator's literature and sold to the traveler/consumer and who gives local practical information.

Note: Tour managers may or may not be tourist guides as well. They are not trained or licensed to work in specific areas unless they have the proper requirements or legal rights, depending on the region. 

GUIDE ASSOCIATION LINKS: The Institute for Professional Tourist Guides of Southern Africa www.iptgsa.org

Cape Tourist Guides Association www.ctga.org.za

Field Guides Association of Southern Africa www.fgasa.co.za

Gauteng Guides Association www.guidessa.org

KwaZulu-Natal Tourist Guides’ Association www.zulu.org.za

Provincial Tourist Guides Association of KwaZulu Natal Battlefields Region www.battlefieldsregionguides.co.za

KwaZulu Natal Tourist Guides Association-eThekwini  www.durbantouristguides.co.za

Vredefort Dome Tourist Guides Association https://www.facebook.com/domeguides/

Trail and Hiking Association of South Africa https://thasa.org/

Durban Tourist Guides Association http://www.durbantouristguides.co.za/

National Federation of Tourist Guides and Affiliates of South Africa  www.nftga.org

Information compiled with acknowledgment to Adventure Qualifications Network – and the South African Department of Tourism – Tourist Guiding

Tourist Guide Registrars

The National Registrar of Tourist Guides, in conjunction with the Provincial Registrars, facilitates the maintenance of the Central Tourist Guides Register as well as the registration of Tourist Guides at the provincial level. In this section, browsers will be able to access the contact details of the National and Provincial Registers.​​​

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Good tourism: a practical guide.

• October 1, 2021
• 12 Comments

A practical guide for good tourism

In its simplest definition, tourism is the activity of travelling and visiting different places. There are many benefits of tourism where it’s creating positive impact for the environment and local communities. However, when it’s not done right, tourism can cause significant disadvantages and a negative impact. That’s why, we need good tourism.

In this article

What is the role of tour operators, what are the negative impacts of tourism, what are the positive impacts of tourism, why do we need good tourism, what is good tourism, how do you implement good tourism in practice, move towards a future of good tourism.

Tourism is an industry that drives people to travel for leisure and fun. In particular, it’s a set of inter-connected activities of people while travelling to different places. Thus, the tourism industry consists of many industries that directly and indirectly provides products and services to tourists.

From tour operators, hotels and restaurants, to local fishing companies, constructors and local communities. Many industries, and with that people, are dependent of tourism for the survival of their business. The task of the tour operator is to:

• Facilitate and operate the tourism activities for travellers
• To map and advise on their trip
• Book the right accommodations and experiences
• Make the trip as comfortable and unique as possible
• To create a positive impact on the destination

Tourism is a sensitive industry that can bring problems and consequences to a destination. If tour operators don’t consider the well-being of local communities or the pressure on the environment, it will most likely have disadvantages on the destination.

Below list shows the main negative impacts of tourism on a destination. It shows us the importance of good tourism and the consequences if we don’t work and travel responsibly.

Negative impacts of tourism

• Overtourism and overcrowding
• Leakage to western companies
• Seasonal and poorly paid jobs
• Dependency of tourism
• Local prices increase
• Loss & exploitation of cultural identity
• Damage to environment
• Exploitation of wild animals
• Increased carbon emissions
• Commercialisation of culture
• Culture clashes
• Increased (plastic) pollution

Luckily, tourism can also bring many benefits and positive consequences to a destination. If tour operators work responsibly, they can directly contribute to the wellbeing of local communities, the environment and its wildlife and secure their future.

Below list shows the main positive impacts of tourism on a destination. If done right, tourism is in the position to create a better life for everyone on the destination, the traveller included.

Positive impacts of tourism

• Builds destinations’ image and brand
• Economic growth contributor
• Increased employment
• Training opportunities for locals
• Increased local spending
• Preservation of local culture
• Conservation of environment
• Protection of wild animals
• Developed infrastructure and facilities
• Greater demand for local food & crafts
• Cross-cultural interactions
• Environmental-friendly experiences

The tourism industry has great impact on (local) economies, and it leaves a large footprint on the environment. As shown above, tourism can cause significant negative impact on destinations, nature and local communities. As tourism industry, and especially tour operators, we have the responsibility to offer tourism that is responsible and benefits the destination.

Services and experiences that create a positive impact. Tourism that is done right, in a responsible way and that makes the world a better place. In the end it comes down to fair tourism where everyone involved is treated right.

From the traveller, to local guides, lodge owners, nature and wildlife. To move towards good tourism, the decision-making process needs to change. As tour operators, you’ll need to take into account people, planet and profit in tourism management and development.

The big question remains, what is good tourism? How can you ensure you’re creating tourism experiences that have a positive impact on the destination and are minimising the negative effects? We can call it sustainable tourism , responsible tourism, green tourism, eco-tourism or good tourism, in the end it all comes down to creating a futureproof tourism industry that does well for everyone.

To guide you in the process towards good tourism, you can use the triple bottom line model as guidance. This framework balances people, planet and profit and focuses on creating greater business value and a better world.

The People bottom line refers to respecting and benefitting local cultures and communities in a destination. Conserve their living and built cultural heritage and authentic values and contribute to equal opportunities and inter-cultural understanding.

The Planet bottom line refers to protecting natural areas and wildlife, supporting a viable natural environment. Make the best use of environmental resources in your experiences and help conserving natural heritage and biodiversity.

The Profit bottom line refers to ensuring fair long-term, profitable economic activities. Provide socio-economic benefits to all parties involved, offer stable and local employment opportunities, and prevent leakage by supporting the local economy .

The theoretical part of good tourism is clear. Take the triple bottom line into account in your tourism management and development process and focus on ensuring a futureproof tourism industry. But how does good tourism look like practically? What aspects are important and how do you implement them?

To make it easier and more accessible for you, we’ve created an overview of the key aspects of good tourism and how to implement them. Important to remember is that good tourism can be implemented in endless ways and that the list below is not the only right way. Good tourism is all about finding the right way for your own business, destination, local stakeholders and customers.

1. Travel off the beaten track

Overtourism has become a serious issue worldwide. Cities, beaches and heritage sites are overcrowded with travellers. Destroying it for both locals as other travellers. This impacts the image of the destination as well. To combat overtourism, the best solution is to spread the travellers. Take them off the beaten track to have more local people benefit from tourism, spare the environment and heritage sites, and offer more unique experiences.

2. Support the local economy

The tourism industry is a significant contributor to the economic growth of destinations. It allows an economy to develop a new form of income as it allows communities to diversify their sources of income and to not rely on a single one. However, to prevent leakage to western countries and businesses, make sure to spend your money locally and advise your customers to do the same. Purchase and book with local businesses and ensure fair prices at all times.

3. Create local employment opportunities

One of the most obvious examples of good tourism is that it creates jobs for local people. From tour guides , drivers, hotel maids to locals selling food or crafts. Work with local people and train and qualify them to be excellent in their job. They are responsible for good tourism on the ground and know the destination best. Provide them with fair wages and appropriate benefits.

4. Develop culture community-based tourism

By turning local culture into an authentic and meaningful experience, you are not only satisfying customers, you are also preserving this local culture. Use tourism to protect their cultural identity. Collaborate respectfully with local communities to avoid commercialisation. Give them means to keep their culture and traditions alive and relevant. Have travellers learn about their ancient local culture and facilitate cross-cultural interactions to create a win-win situation.

5. Raise awareness among travellers

To ensure that community-based tourism is developed and practiced well, it’s essential travellers are educated about the local destination, culture and local customs. They need to be informed about the do’s and don’ts, how to behave and how to dress. Avoiding cultural clashes is all about creating awareness among travellers. Use community-based tourism to broaden their mind and to truly interact with local communities in a respectful way.

6. Conserve natural assets and environment

The tourism industry puts strains on the local environment. It can cause damage with risks such as erosion, pollution, loss of natural habitats and overcrowded beaches. By conserving natural assets and environment, you are directly contributing to a futureproof tourism industry. Avoid damaging the environment by lowering your carbon footprint, contributing to protecting natural areas, paying official park fees and planting trees.

7. Ensure animal welfare

The use of animals in tourism is still common practice in the tourism industry. Unfortunately, the negative impact on animals is enormous. It thereby also puts pressure on animal welfare and conservation. Start to understand your animal footprint and operate accordingly in your business. This basically entails no experiences that involve captive wildlife or interaction with wild animals. Take responsibility for local animal welfare and set the right example!

8. Lower your carbon footprint

The carbon footprint of tourism is relatively large. Of all emissions worldwide, 5 to 8% is caused by the tourism industry. Tour operators are in the position to contribute to slowing down global warming by simply reducing their emissions . Start managing your carbon footprint and identify ways for your business to lowering and compensate CO2 emissions . Start with avoiding domestic flights and including public transport and zero-emission transport modes such as cycling and walking!

9. Say no to single-use plastic

Plastic can be found everywhere. In our oceans, wildlife and in nature. Tourism significantly contributes to the issue by using a lot of single-use plastic during trips and in accommodations. The industry increases litter and pollution in nature and therefore have the responsibility to reduce plastic throughout to avoid pollution. Make clients aware of the issue, offer refillable water bottles and prevent use of plastic bags. Awareness and education is key here.

The tourism industry has proven to have a massive impact on destinations, communities and the environment. It’s a sensitive industry where it can have both positive as negative impact, with all its consequences.

Tour operators have the opportunity and responsibility to move towards good tourism. To create experiences that benefit the destination, that provide a fair income for local communities and that protect the environment and wildlife. This is the future of tourism.

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Very thoughtful, just learnt a lot… looking forward to a total good tourism near future.

So do we Eloi!

very important courses that build your skills in the tourism industries even beyond,very pleased to attend this courses.

Thank you Shema!

Don’t forget that tourists choosing to stay in local neighborhoods should remember that their neighbors are not on vacation; they are in their homes. Staying in a neighborhood is a different experience from a hotel/motel and needs to be respected. If tourists are there to party and bring in a crowd, they should opt to stay in a commercial area.

I have really learnt alot and understood why good tourism sustainability is important. Thanks alot Anne & Rik

That’s great to hear Hilda, thank you for letting us know!

Very good insights, will implement the concepts learnt to become a better Tour operator

On my journey of practicing good tourism; and today i had a task to pick my kids from point A to point B but remembering the carbon car emissions i used the walking option to point A picked the kids to where my car was about 1km. Good tourism if practiced well, is a game changer to improving the quality of lives, rejuvenate nature and our environment at large! Thanks Team at GT for putting all this together!

This is a very thoughtful article. I like how issues are discussed and examples used. This is helping me understand more concepts.

Thanks Good Tourism Institute

Thank you Asuman for your positive feedback and we’re happy you’re enjoying our content!

Anne de Jong

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The Benefits of Travel Guides

By: Author Valerie Forgeard

Posted on Published: June 26, 2023  - Last updated: July 1, 2023

Categories Travel

When planning a vacation , there are many things to consider. One of the most important aspects of any trip is deciding what to do and see. A travel guide can be an invaluable resource in this process. Travel guides provide information on everything from attractions and restaurants to nightlife and shopping. They can help you make the most of your time away and ensure you experience all your destination offers. This blog post will discuss the benefits of using travel guides when planning a vacation. We’ll also provide tips on choosing the best guide for your needs.

Why Use a Travel Guide

Travel guides like the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide help you decide the best time to travel, which places are worth your time and money, and what activities and attractions are available. They also provide background information about the place or culture you will visit.

A Travel Guide Will Help You Decide When Is the Best Time to Travel

When is the best time to travel?

When is the best time to travel? Well, it depends. In some cases, the answer is simple. If you want to visit a place where sunshine and warm weather are guaranteed, you should travel during the summer. You should visit during the festive season to experience the best of a country’s culture. But what if you are not sure when to go on your trip? What if you are not interested in festivals or the weather?

That’s where a travel guide comes in handy! A good travel guide will give you all sorts of information about different cities around the world and what makes each city unique

It Gives You Insight Into the Places You Should Visit

Whether visiting a city for the first time or an old hand, a travel guide can help you find the best places. It gives you insights into the best places to visit in any destination, from hotels and restaurants to stores and attractions.

A good guidebook will help you decide where to go and what to do there and give you an overview of local laws and customs so you know what is expected of visitors. For example, suppose you’re visiting a Maori in New Zealand. In that case, you may want to ask if there are restrictions on taking pictures or if credit cards are accepted everywhere in South America. You could also ask if tipping is necessary for all of North America.

A Good Guidebook Will Help You Decide Which Activities and Attractions Are Worth Your Time and Money

A good guide will help you decide which activities and attractions are worth your time and money. It gives you insights into places of interest and recommendations on where to stay.

It can also save you a lot of time by not having to do extensive research before your trip. With a good book, all your questions will be answered in one place, so you do not have to spend hours searching for answers on websites or forums.

It Provides Information About the Place and the Culture

To get the most out of your travel experience, it is important to understand the culture of the place you visit. A good travel guide will help you learn about the customs and traditions of a country or region and understand better the cultural differences visitors experience. He or she will also give you information about etiquette and social situations that may occur during your stay.

For example, is it customary to greet each other with a handshake or bow? Do people resent you if you greet them in the wrong way? Do they prefer small talk at meals, or do they want to eat in silence?

It Gives Recommendations for Accommodation

In a travel guide, you will always find recommendations on where to stay, from luxury hotels to Airbnb to camping if you’re on a walking tour or traveling by car. The recommendations are based on the authors’ research and their experience in the region of your travel destination. If you are looking for a cheap place with good WiFi, a guide will tell you where to find that.

You’ll Get Information About Great Restaurants and Cafes and Even Where They Are Located

You can get information about the best restaurants, cafes, street food, and even where they are located. This means you do not have to spend time walking around on Trip Advisor or around the city to find out where the good restaurants are. You’ll know exactly where to go when you are hungry and where you can get good food any time of the day or night.

You can also find out about different parts of the city. So if you want to eat something specifically for dinner, there is probably a place nearby that will suit your needs. Since these guidebooks are often updated from time to time by their authors, who have traveled extensively in the region in question, they offer not only up-to-date information but also unique insights into local customs and traditions that may be completely absent from other sources!

A Travel Guide Can Help You Find the Best Places to Go and the Best Stores to Visit

When you are traveling, you may want to go shopping. Some people like to store souvenirs when they go on vacation. Others like to buy gifts for family members or friends back home. If this is what will make your trip memorable, then you must have a list of things that need to be purchased before you leave.

It can be difficult to buy things while traveling if you do not know where to go and what items are available there. You do not want to waste time driving around town trying to find something that may not be available in the area you are staying in during your vacation!

A good guidebook will help you find the best places to store, such as markets, malls, and the best shopping areas, with a great selection of souvenirs and gifts for everyone back home!

A Good Travel Guide Will Give You Tips on How to Stay Safe

When traveling to a foreign country, you should first learn how to stay safe. Travel guides do not take you around a city or country. Instead, they tell you how to stay safe while you are on your own. However, they will still give you tips on how to stay safe. Here are some examples of advice you might find in your guidebook:

If someone tries to rob or attack you, give them what they want – it’s not worth risking your life over something material! And if the attacker already has a weapon (e.g., a knife), fight back only if necessary – there’s no point in hurting yourself any more than necessary!

Children should never be left unattended for fear of being kidnapped or otherwise harmed.

Do not go into dark alleys or other secluded areas alone. It is much safer to stay in well-lit areas with many people.

Why Choose a Tour Guide

When planning your next trip, remember that a great tour guide can be invaluable.

A good tour guide will show you where and what to do during your visit. He or she will help you avoid getting lost and ensure that you make the most of your time in the region.

A good tour guide will also give you information about the places they show you and give you an insider’s perspective on the history or culture of the place.

For example, if you visit Rome for the first time, a tour guide can tell you stories about how the ancient Romans lived and what they ate. With this knowledge, you can better understand why each place is important today.

A Great Tour Guide Also Makes It Easier for You to Interact With Locals

He can help you meet people and make friends if you are traveling alone. He can give you tips on where to stay and eat and even help you avoid scams that tourists might otherwise get ripped off with. They can also give you an insight into the local culture that is not possible for most tourists who only visit a place once or twice in a lifetime.

Having a Good Tour Guide Allows You to Ask Questions

As a traveler, you will probably have a lot of questions. You can ask to your tourist guide. Here are just a few examples:

A tour guide can also answer any questions about local transportation, including busses, trains, cabs, and more.

You Do Not Have to Worry About Getting Lost or Missing Anything Important

If you are worried about traveling alone, a tour guide is probably the best way to ensure you do not get stranded.

If you are traveling with friends or family, you can hire a tour guide to ensure everyone stays together and no one gets lost or separated from the tour group. However, remember that it is not a tour guide’s job to watch over unsupervised children; that is your sole responsibility.

You Save Yourself the Trouble of Organizing Private Transportation

If you have a full-time tour guide, transportation will likely be arranged by the tour operator as part of the package you book. This means you do not have to worry about your transportation and can focus on the fun parts of your vacation.

This can be especially useful if you have limited mobility or difficulty with language barriers. Also, if you are traveling with children or elderly relatives, it is often easier to have someone else drive, so they do not get tired or frustrated as quickly when trying to find their way around new places.

They Give the Latest Advice on Safety Precautions

Tour guides are well-informed about what is happening in the area and are trained to keep their tour members safe. Tour guides are well-informed about what is happening in the area; if crime has increased recently, they probably know about it.

In most Western countries, tour guides often must take a first aid course to know what to do in an emergency.

Do not be afraid to ask questions! If you have safety concerns, you can talk to your tour guide before or during your trip.

They Have a Wealth of Knowledge

The best tour guides will ensure you see all the major sights and attractions on your trip. This way, you will not miss any must-see sights while visiting a tourist destination. It is also a good idea to choose an experienced tour guide because they know the best places to visit and how long it will take you to see these attractions.

Group tour guides are known for helping tourists in popular areas, but they also know things you would not find in guidebooks. They have a wealth of knowledge about the places they take visitors to and can share that knowledge with their clients. This can be invaluable for those looking for something new and different.

They Can Help You Better Understand the Local Culture

When traveling to a new country, it’s always good to have someone who can help you better understand the local culture. Many people travel to learn about other cultures. Group tour guides are experts in their field and know everything about their country or city. They also have a lot of stories to tell.

If you want to learn all the local customs, traditions and culture, you should hire a tour guide to help you. You will be able to see things you would not have seen if you were traveling alone or with other people who do not know much about the place they are traveling.

A Travel Guide Book vs. A Tour Guide

If a guidebook is a book that tells you what to do and where to go, then a travel guidebook is a book that helps you figure out where to go and what to do.

A tour guide has everything planned out for you. At the same time, a travel guidebook does not tell you where, when, or what, but it gives tips on how to get around, what transportation is available, what other activities are available nearby, and so on.

Encyclopedia of Tourism pp 1–2 Cite as

• Songshan (Sam) Huang 3  
• Living reference work entry
• First Online: 01 January 2015

104 Accesses

A tour guide is a frontline employee who plays an important role in shaping tourists’ experience at the destination . In package tours, for example, the guide is the major service provider and direct contact personnel to tourists. In different countries, alternative nomenclatures are used for this position, including tourist guide, tour leader, tour coordinator, and tour escort. The literature does not suggest a common definition.

The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations offers this definition: a person who guides tourists in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area and who normally possesses an area-specific qualification issued and/or recognized by an appropriate authority (WFTGA (16 June 2005)." href="#ref-CR5" id="ref-link-section-d2529403e352">2003 ). Tour guides are found to play distinct roles in different historical eras. Cohen ( 1985 ) identifies pathfinder and mentor as two roles of modern guides. As pathfinders, they are important in human history for tourists to explore the unknown and...

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Cohen, E. 1985 The Tourist Guide: The Origins, Structure and Dynamics of a Role. Annals of Tourism Research 12:5-29.

Article   Google Scholar  

Huang, S. 2010 A Revised Importance-Performance Analysis of Tour Guide Performance in China. Tourism Analysis 15:227-241.

Mossberg, L. 1995 Tour Leaders and Their Importance in Charter Tours. Tourism Management 16:437-445.

Weiler, B., and S. Ham 2001 Tour Guides and Interpretation. In The Encyclopaedia of Ecotourism, D. Weaver, ed., pp.549–63. Wallingford: CABI.

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World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations 2003 What is a Tourist Guide? < www.wftga.org/page.asp?id=15 > (16 June 2005).

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Songshan (Sam) Huang

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Correspondence to Songshan (Sam) Huang .

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School of Hospitality Leadership, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, USA

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School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR

Honggen Xiao

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Huang, S.(. (2014). Tour guide. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_202-1

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Received : 15 January 2014

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Published : 15 September 2015

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Definition of tourist

• excursionist
• rubbernecker
• traveller
• tripper [ chiefly British ]

Examples of tourist in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tourist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tourist

tourist attractions

• tourist card
• tourist class
• tourist court
• tourist season
• tourist trap

Dictionary Entries Near tourist

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“Tourist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tourist. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

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The inside guide to exploring Hocking Hills, Ohio's natural wonderland

With the kind of big landscapes only America's Midwest can deliver, Hocking Hills in Ohio is ripe for outdoor adventure. From hiking to kayaking, here's all you need to know about planning your trip.

In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, this nature-blessed region of Hocking Hills has mile after mile of hiking trails, with paths leading to sandstone rock pinnacles, echoing caves and waterfalls. You can speed above the tree canopy on a zipwire, paddle down a river in a kayak or scale a sheer cliff face. As night draws in, look up at star-spangled skies as you retreat to unique hideaways, from underground hobbit houses to luxe treehouses. Here's how best to experience Ohio's Hocking Hills.

Soar like a hawk among the treetops with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours . Plunging you into the wilds of Hocking Hills, cables and sky bridges send you soaring above forest, cliffs, waterfalls and the rushing Hocking River. If you want to ramp up the adventure, go for the cross-country X-Tour or the head-first SuperZip, picking up speeds of up to 50mph.  

For a deep dive into nature, Hocking Hills State Park beckons, with primeval forest that is a riot of colour in autumn and an impressive collection of caves. Top billing goes to the horseshoe-shaped Old Man’s Cave, where falls plummet into a crystal-blue pool. The cave takes its name from 18th-century hermit Richard Rowe, who lived in its depths. Alternatively, hike the five-mile loop trail to the Whispering Cave — a whisper is said to be heard 300 feet away on the other side of the cave. Trail maps and information on the park’s geology are available at the Old Man’s Cave parking lot.

Hocking Hills has extra sparkle at night, and the region draws keen stargazers with some of the country’s darkest night skies. The John Glenn Astronomy Park — around a mile west of Old Man’s Cave — is a great spot. On clear nights you’ll be dazzled by star clusters, bright planets, comets, meteor showers and the spray of the Milky Way. See the website for Friday and Saturday evening events, where you can peer through a giant telescope, with astronomers on hand to interpret.

If you’ve ever fancied rock climbing, Hocking Hills is the place. Climbers are in their element, with sandstone cliffs rising high above the tree canopy. Rappelling and rock climbing are available here, with routes for all levels traversing cliffs and pinnacles, through narrow rock walls and over boulders. High Rock Adventures provides all the gear as well as professional guides.

Not all adventure is fast-paced. Bounded by lush forest, the gently flowing Hocking River sets the scene for mellow trips by kayak or canoe. Excursions from Hocking Hills Canoe Livery range from easy, family-friendly rafting trips to five- or seven-mile kayak and canoe paddles for groups, couples or solo paddlers. Listening to the splash of water and trill of birds as you float along offers peace and solitude.

If you have time, family-run distillery Hocking Hills Moonshine takes you back to the Prohibition bootlegger era with ‘shine that will knock your socks off’ (and tours to see how it's made). Only the brave dare try the 151 proof Buckeye Thunder.

Where to stay

From back-to-nature campgrounds and riverside cabins to glamping tepees, Hocking Hills has plenty of unique places to bed down. For something special, the green-certified Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls has yurts, luxury lodges and rustic cabins with porch swings and geodesic domes immersed in greenery. Elsewhere, at the Valley View Hills Winery , cabins come with hot tubs and firepits, and chardonnays and malbecs are paired with stone-fired pizza. For romance at a bird’s-eye level, opt for the architecturally striking Treehouse Cabins . Or for a hobbit fantasy, stay in a cave at the Magical Earth Retreat .

Where to eat

Southern barbecue at Millstone and the famous hash, hand-cut noodles and all-day breakfast at old-school diner M & M — Hocking Hills’ food scene fires you up for the outdoors. The small town of Logan is a hub for gourmet coffee and freshly prepared paninis, stop by Hocking Hills Coffee Emporium for an authentic experience. Kindred Spirits restaurant at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls offers fine dining in 1840s log cabins and a seasonal menu of Italian-inspired dishes like steamed clams in tomato broth.

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Where Lonely Planet staffers are traveling this summer

Apr 19, 2024 • 10 min read

Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies is one of the places Lonely Planet staffers plan to visit this summer © ronniechua / Getty Images

Summer is around the corner in the northern hemisphere, and the team at Lonely Planet is already making (or has made) their travel plans.

If you're wondering where to go and what to do this summer, why not follow one of our leads and discover a new destination or rediscover an old favorite? I, unlike my colleagues, have yet to make plans, so finding out where everyone else is going has lit a fire under me. Likewise, I hope these trip plans inspire you to make some of your own – and that you'll turn to Lonely Planet for help when plotting your next getaway.

Here are just some of the places the staff at Lonely Planet traveling this summer.

"I'm going to a backcountry lodge in Banff . It's only accessible by hiking in. I’ve wanted to do one of these for ages, so this is how I’m celebrating my 40th!" – Jessica Lockhart, Senior Editor, Oceania

Banff and Jasper National Parks have several rustic backcountry lodges surrounded by unparalleled scenery. Each lodge has its own unique setting, hosts and history, but all have simple amenities, minimal (or no) electricity and running water, and welcoming common spaces where travelers can gather to read, play cards or recount the day’s adventures. Advance bookings are key – prices may seem steep, but factor in the included home-cooked meals and freedom from setting up camp or worrying about weather and wildlife, and the cost suddenly becomes worth it. 

Keen to go hiking in Canada? Here's our guide to the best trekking routes

"I will be visiting Makarska Riviera , including Brela , Makarska, Tucepi and the island of Korčula . The trip is all about promoting Croatia ’s great outdoors , so the itinerary includes kayaking, rafting, buggying and lots of hiking !" – Aoife Breslin, Publicity and Marketing Coordinator

Croatia’s tourism peaks between June and August, when the Adriatic’s warm waters charm countless visitors. It’s great fun, though afternoons are roasting hot, the lines at attractions are at their longest, and accommodation costs rise. Inland, temperatures are higher, but crowds are less noticeable. June is the quietest month of high season, but with clear skies, music festivals and the promise of early summer, it's a strong contender for Croatia’s best month. 

Ready to plan your trip to Croatia? Choose the right time for your visit with our seasonal guide

"I'm going island hopping  in Greece for four weeks in June. I'll be spending most of my time on Serifos (to start) as it's where the local Greeks holiday  – doing a pottery class, vineyard tour, taking boats to secluded coves, going to cooking school and generally trying to be as fabulous as possible – with additional stays on Santorini and Paros . – Chris Zeiher, Senior Director of Trade Sales and Marketing

Greece is ancient sun-bleached ruins piercing blue skies, the balmy Aegean lapping an endless coastline and a culture alive with passionate music, wonderful cuisine and thrill-seeking activities. Summer is when most travelers choose to explore its countless islands, and June affords the longest days of sunshine, peaking in the second fortnight. It’s also an opportune time for your first, refreshing dip of the summer. 

Going to Greece for the first time? Here our our top tips on things to know before you go

"I'm heading to Tuscany and the island of Elba ." – Annie Greenberg, Creative Director  "We are doing a girls' trip to Tuscany." – Aly Yee, Senior Director

Tuscany escapes easy definition. The Apennines – Italy ’s mountainous spine – slope into vineyard-covered rolling hills, which in turn fade into the Mediterranean coast. Late spring to early autumn is when most people visit Tuscany. It’s easy to understand why – days get longer and warmer, the countryside comes to life, outdoor dining opportunities abound, and festivals happen all around.  The island of Elba comes to life during summer, and it’s worth booking accommodation well in advance if you plan to visit in the high season. Elba offers both great beaches and hiking opportunities along its Grande Traversata Elbana (GTE, Elba’s Great Crossing) trail.

Ready to plan a trip to Tuscany?  Check out our regional guide  

"I'm off to car-free Isla Holbox , Mexico for a relaxing beach getaway. I'm planning on horseback riding and wataflow therapy, which I've never done, but should be interesting."  – Serina Patel, Marketing Manager

Isla Holbox (hol-bosh), meaning "black hole" in Mayan, lives up to its name – it's like a portal to one of Mexico’s last unspoiled tropical islands. Golf carts and bicycles serve as the main forms of transportation, and visitors will discover sandy streets, colorful Caribbean buildings, lazing, sun-drunk dogs, and sand so fine its texture is nearly clay. The greenish waters are a unique color from the mixing of ocean currents, and on land there's a mixing too: of locals and tourists, the latter hoping to escape the hubbub of Cancún .

Using Cancún as a base? Here are the best day trips into the wider area

"I'm heading to Granada , Spain for a week or so, maybe getting in Málaga too. This will be my second visit, so I'm hoping to take a more relaxed approach this time and also catch up with friends." – Alison Killilea, Production Support Editor

With serene Islamic architecture, monumental churches, old-school tapas bars and counterculture graffiti art, Granada is Spain’s cultured, creative southern city; a place with a storied past centering on the Alhambra , one of the world’s great human-made wonders. While Granada can be scorching in summer, the city of Málaga is deemed to have the best climate in the country, with about 3000 hours of sun a year – the most in all of Spain. 

Seen the Alhambra? Here are Granada's other top experiences

Switzerland

"I'm also going to Zürich , Lucerne , Grindelwald  and Zermatt . I will mostly be hiking and doing lots of outdoorsy activities. My number one priority while I am in Switzerland is to do the highest hiking trail in Europe , the Barrhorn."  – Aoife Breslin, Publicity and Marketing Coordinator

Nowhere is perfect, but let’s face it, Switzerland gets pretty darned close. With its supermodel looks, fine weather, easy-peasy public transport , multilingual mindset and penchant for cheese and wine, this is a country where it’s easy to get comfortable – even if it is a bit on the pricey side.  Peak summer in Switzerland is  tip-top , to borrow the Swiss German phrase. Barring the odd storm, it’s nearly always hot and sunny – oppressively so, sometimes, meaning the best place to be is in the cooler air of the high mountains.

Ready to experience the best of Switzerland? Here's our guide to the top things to do

The Bahamas

"I'm heading to Eleuthera  in the  Bahamas for our annual family trip – there are 16 of us so it's always an exciting week! With age ranges of 7–70, I can report that we are all excited to do a beach bonfire and barbecue, and go sailing to swim with some piggies." – Amy Nichols, Senior Marketing Manager

The sapphire waters and  sun-soaked sands  of the Bahamas beckon travelers with warm weather that never fades. Just a short flight from the east coast of the US, this island nation is a magnet for repeat visitors and last-minute bookers alike. Eleuthera, however, is a bit tougher to get to, but is well worth the expense and effort if you're looking for vacation bliss. With its pink-sand beaches, Atlantic-battered reefs, weather-warped rock and dense subtropical scrub, this incredibly narrow 109-mile (175km-long) crescent also offers boutique hotels, revered surf breaks and some fabulous restaurants. 

Can't decide where to go in the Bahamas? We can help with this guide to the best places to visit 

"I'm heading to Naples , Florida  on a family vacation for 2 weeks. I'm planning to relax mostly, with lots of trips to the beach and eating good food! But I'm hoping to take a trip to the Everglades , too." – Aoife Breslin, Publicity and Marketing Coordinator

For upscale romance and the prettiest, most serene city beach in southwest Florida, come to Naples, the Gulf Coast's answer to Palm Beach. The soft white sand is backed only by narrow dunes and half-hidden mansions. More than that, though, Naples is a cultured, sophisticated town, unabashedly stylish and privileged but also welcoming and fun-loving. With spectacular year-round sunshine, there's certainly no bad time to visit Florida . Summers can be pretty hot, but you'll probably spend less on lodging than the winter or summer months.

Traveling to Florida on a budget? We've got some money-saving tips for you

Massachusetts

"My friends and I are going to Martha’s Vineyard , Massachusetts in July. We’re planning a Midsommar -esque garden dinner one night and will spend the rest of our time beach hopping and strolling through Edgartown." – Ann Douglas Lott, Associate Editor

Martha's Vineyard remains untouched by the kind of rampant commercialism found on the mainland – there's not a single chain restaurant or cookie-cutter motel in sight. Sunny skies and consistently hot weather make July and August the best time for a traditional beach holiday with sunning, swimming and sand-digging. The tradeoff, of course, is that July and August are the months everyone goes to the Vineyard and it's likely to be jam-packed, so plan ahead.

Want to see more of Massachusetts? Here are the best road-trip routes

"My family is headed to Northern Michigan this summer. We're excited to paddleboard to a shipwreck, relax on the beach and sail on Lake Michigan. We'll hike and run down all the sand dunes, explore cute artsy towns full of galleries and good eats." – Sarah Stocking, Digital Editor

Summertime buzzes with travelers when draws like the  Great Lakes , charming islands and unspoiled wilderness are at their most accessible. Michigan’s high season kicks off on Memorial Day (the last Monday in May). Ferries start to depart more regularly to popular spots and while summer-only establishments lift their shutters. The weather is mostly sunny and warm, with temperatures ranging from 76°F (24°C) to 85°F (29°C). This means lots of summer-only outdoor activities begin.

There are loads of great beaches in Michigan. Here's our guide to the very best

North Carolina

"My wife and I are going to Kure Beach, North Carolina for the 4th of July for five days — my favorite things to do there are take a yoga class on the beach with Kure Beach Yoga (no need to bring a mat, bring a towel!), watch the sunrise from our hotel (The Lighthouse Inn, a very laid-back and recently revamped spot right by the water so you don’t have to stress about parking, which is awful every summer), and see if we can find the boardwalk cat, Bibi." – Rachel Lewis, Senior Social Media Manager

The height of summer in North Carolina is beach time, and with 322 miles (518km) of ocean shoreline reaching from the  Outer Banks  in the north to the  South Carolina  border in the south (and 12,000 miles/19,000km of estuarine coastline along the way),  North Carolina has plenty of beaches to choose from . Kure Beach has 6 miles (10km) of protected shoreline as well as lagoons teeming with wildlife that you can explore by renting a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard.

Explore some of North Carolina's epic landscapes by foot with our guide to the best hiking routes

Rhode Island

"I'm off to Newport , Rhode Island for Memorial Day Weekend and planning on going to restaurants, wineries, mansion tours, walking and hiking." – Serina Patel, Marketing Manager

It may be the yachting capital of the world, but you don’t need nautical stripes – or a summer cottage – to enjoy the seaside retreat of Newport, Rhode Island. With its fresh briny air, expansive sea views and stunning bays, it's obvious why cityfolk continue to follow in the footsteps of the American industrialists here. Enjoy a taste of the good life by touring Newport's Gilded Age mansions built in the late 1800s, taking sailing lessons, or going wine tasting.

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