How to Become a Tour Guide

HOW TO BECOME ATOUR GUIDE

Today the profession of tour guide is becoming more and more promising as tourism business is growing rapidly in some areas. Tour guides receive several advantages. First is guide fee or salary from the travel company he/she works for. Second is tips from tourists when they are satisfied with his /her service. Third is commission from art galleries in some areas. In Bali and Yogyakarta there are several art galleries that sell batik garment and handicraft like silver, leather and wood carvings. All of them give commission to tour guides, tour leaders and drivers who lead tourist to buy at their outlets. Then they can also enjoy food, drink and hotel for free during tours. Besides financial rewards they may have opportunity to widen their social contacts which will lead to other business opportunity. So if you want to become one, here are the tips.

Requirements of a tour guide.

First is a good command of English or any foreign language. Other promising foreign language is Japanese, Chinese and Korean since their economy are growing rapidly. Next is knowledge of history, culture and social condition of a particular place. If you want to lead tourist to Bali or Yogyakarta, then you must know the history and the Hindu, Buddha and Islamic culture. You must have a friendly personality. The profession demands you to be helpful and friendly to your clients and people who work closely with you. Although your work alone, you must be a team player. Then you must also meet the administrative requirement like license. In some areas you must take an examination from the tourism authority. After that you must have genuine courtesy to people. Then you must also like traveling. You must have excellent physical and mental condition since conducting tours take long hours. Tour guides work for at least eight hours a day. Take Bali and Yogyakarta for example, tour guides must accompany tourists to visit temples, palaces and handicraft centers. It means that they have to present those places while walking. In Borobudur temple, they must go upstairs and explain the details of it. Besides, you must also know well the area that you are visiting.

Equipments of a tour guide.

Map is an important equipment for tour guides especially if you lead long distance tour like Java –Bali overland tours in Indonesia. Maybe you know well the area but sometimes you need to show tourists about the area you are visiting. Dictionary is also another important equipment. You also need some pictures or photos of places or other objects that you visit. When you visited Bali or Yogyakarta for example, then you need some pictures of Borobudur and Prambanan temples, Batik garments, traditional costumes and many art objects. Pictures will make your presentations and explanations more lively. Document is another important equipment. Never forget to bring a small case to save your documents. Cellphones is also a must - bring device today. If you conduct long-distance tour like the Java-bali overland tours then you’d better take the itinerary with you. Always attach it in the hotel lobby to inform your clients.

Educations of tour guides.

Actually there is no standard of education for tour guides. Of course graduates of tourism school are good candidates for tour guides but it does not mean that other major cannot work as a tour guide. Graduates of foreign language schools are also good candidates since thay have a good command of foreign language. So are graduates of political science department since they know well the social and political situations of a particular country or area. Graduates of other majors are too. Any major will do.

Preparations to become a tour guide

If you meet all the requirements of a tour guide, then you may apply to travel agencies. In Indonesia you must have license first then you apply to companies. after that you will have to go through a probation period. In this period you have to observe professional guides work. Then you will be assigned some short tours like city tour. If you do well, you will be assigned with longer tours.

What to show and tell.

During tours you will be the one who will make the tour lively. A tour will be more interesting and lively if you show and tell interesting facts about any particular places. In Yogyakarta there is Borobudur temple that is located about one hour drive from the city. Along the way there you must show and tell your clients about Merapi volcano, rice fields, village life, etc. On the way to east Java and Bali you should tell about a town called Madiun where once there was a communist state called Republic Soviet Madiun was proclaimed during the revolution. Then when you get to the destination, Borobudor temple for example, tell them about ist historical background, its style of architecture, events that take place there like Buddhist ceremonies, and stories carved on its walls. When you have finished explaining give them time to enjoy the place. Don’t forget to tell them the time you leave the place and where you will meet. On the way to the hotel you can play local traditional or modern music.