A Campus Tour Guide is responsible for providing tours of a college campus to prospective students and their families, effectively communicating about the university’s history, programs, culture, and resources, answering questions from prospective students and their families, coordinating and facilitating special events and open houses, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the university’s policies, procedures, and programs.
The role of a student tour guide on campus includes finding places for families to take selfies and offering individual tours. To make the most of your college campus tours, plan ahead, research the university, and gather important information such as brochures, financial aid forms, and the campus map.
A campus visit is a planned visit to a college or university campus, involving guided tours, information sessions, and meetings with admissions officers. It is essential to do your homework before stepping foot on any campus. Here are 11 tips to help you make the most of your college campus tours:
- Plan Ahead: Research the university and the university’s history, programs, culture, and resources.
- Communicate the essence of a school by filling in gaps in information provided by the tour guide.
- Use the tour to discuss everything you are seeing on campus, including statues, traditions, folklore, stories, and academic opportunities.
- Field questions from prospective students and parents, as campus tours can be content-heavy.
- Take an active role in personal development through training opportunities.
In summary, a Campus Tour Guide plays a crucial role in providing tours, communicating about the university’s history, programs, culture, and resources, answering questions, coordinating events and open houses, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the university’s policies, procedures, and programs. By planning ahead, researching the university, and being honest and open to feedback, a Campus Tour Guide can make the most of their college campus tours.
📹 What makes a great tour guide and host? | Rick Steves | TEDxSeattleSalon
Learn why and how passionate teachers of their culture create experiences that are positive, vivid, and memorable. Rick Steves …
What is the main role of a tour guide?
Tour guides accompany visitors to tourist attractions, providing valuable information and insights. They should be fit, healthy, and confident. Typical employers require qualifications and training in key skills. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, recruiters will not view time out of work as a gap in a CV. For guidance on job hunting during this difficult time, refer to the advice for job hunting during a pandemic.
What is the difference between a tour guide and a Tourist Guide?
Tours are a type of travel experience that takes place over time, visiting multiple sights and can be done as a walk or in a vehicle. They can be organized by the traveler themselves or a tour operator who designs and delivers a tour for a traveler or group of travelers.
The term “customer” is used more often in Anglophone countries, especially in the U. S., while “guest” relates more to a personal connection and a sense of welcome and hospitality. Different companies will prefer different terminology.
Tour guides, tour leaders, interpreters, docents, day tours, multi-day tours, package tours, group tours, pre-formed/affinity groups, escorted tours, guided tours, self-guided tours, familiarization tours, and flexible independent travel (FIT) tours are all terms used to describe different types of travel experiences.
A public tour is open to the general public and consists of a variety of people who don’t already know each other. A private tour is sold specifically to an already-organized group of travelers who don’t wish to experience the tour with others. Custom tours are usually also a private tour and refer to the operator crafting an experience customized to the specific demands of a client.
Pre-formed/affinity groups are commonly used in the multi-day tour space to refer to a group tour not made up of individual solo travelers and couples but instead of an alread-formed large group of travelers. They may also be created by a “Group Leader” who sells a tour for a tour operator, often in exchange for a free trip or a commission.
Escorted tours are used most often in the multi-day tour space and involve traveling with an escort (old-fashioned term), more commonly referred to today as a tour manager, tour director, tour leader, or trip leader. The TM’s job is to handle the logistics of keeping the group together, checking into hotels, arranging meals, etc.
Guided tours are organized excursions led by an individual or individuals, such as a museum doctor, adventure guide, or tour leader. Self-guided tours have two different meanings: one related to technology and one related to nature. In the world of adventure tours, self-guided tours happen when an individual hires a tour operator to provide guidance in the form of itineraries, maps, and possibly technology to facilitate an extended journey involving walking, hiking, biking, etc.
Familyization tours focus on helping one set of professionals (travel agents) learn about a destination or about vendors in an area. A group of tour guides might take a FAM tour to a new attraction that they’ll then sell to clients.
In summary, tours are a diverse range of travel experiences that cater to various needs and preferences.
The tour and activities industry encompasses various types of businesses, including activity-based tours, attractions, DMOs, CVBs, MICEs, and B2B operators. Activity-based tours involve activities such as watersports, biking, hiking, etc., while attraction-based tours involve activities like amusement parks, museums, and the Eiffel Tower. Attractions include meetings, incentives, conferences, and events, where operators work with a CVB to organize tours for business customers hosting or attending a conference in a location.
B2B tour operators work with other operators, such as adventure operators, watersports operators, and ATV rental operators. They do the grunt work, selling to customers and possibly working with vendors to create an organized tour experience. Inbound/receptive operators or DMCs (destination management companies) create experiences in a specific location, working B2B with tour operators or corporate entities needing local knowledge and connections. Outbound operators design experiences that take guests elsewhere, often focusing on trips that send their Australian customers outbound to other countries.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the art of optimizing your website and online presence to bring your content to the top of search engine results. PPC (Pay-per-click) refers to digital advertising done by companies like Google, where users pay for ads to appear in search engine results. Online Travel Agency (OTA) refers to a wide variety of online marketplaces servicing the travel industry, selling everything from rental cars to flights to hotels to tours.
Online Marketplace/Platform is a more general term for website platforms that sell a wide variety of tours online. Restech/Booking Software is a fast way to refer to the software industry centered around creating helping tour operators accept online bookings and keep those bookings organized. Tour Operator Software offers an extended suite of features meant to help operators across their whole business, from operators to itinerary proposals to budgeting and pricing.
SaaS (Software as a Service) refers to subscription-based websites or software that help operators do something, such as booking software and CRMs. Suppliers are those who supply tours that are then re-sold by the platform. Connectivity is the dark art of how operators connect to sales channels. Distributors/Resellers are sales channels that sell tickets to tours on behalf of the operator, such as online marketplaces like Viator and GetYourGuide, personal travel agents, or hotel concierges. Channel Manager is software that helps managers manage all their different sales channels in one place.
In summary, the tour and activities industry encompasses various types of businesses, including activity-based tours, attractions, DMOs, MICEs, and tour operators. These businesses work together to promote destinations, provide services, and manage their operations effectively.
What is the role of a student guide?
A student guide is a person who serves as an intermediary between a university’s mission and heritage and visitors to its historic campus, promoting an environment of openness and democracy within the context of a modern university.
What qualities should a tour guide have?
A good tour guide is enthusiastic, engaging, communicative, outgoing, funny, decisive, organized, and punctual. These qualities make the difference between an ordinary tour and an unforgettable experience. Finding an amazing guide is not easy, and being one requires effort. This blog post is for both tour operators and those aspiring to become the best tour guides. A good tour guide should possess a combination of personality traits and professional skills, ensuring the best experience for guests. Both tour operators and tour operators should be aware of the skills to look for in a good guide.
What is the role of a guide?
A guide is a person who guides travelers, sportspeople, or tourists through unfamiliar locations, often leading them to abstract goals like knowledge or wisdom. In the past, military explorers Lewis and Clark hired guides, who were later hired by the United States Congress. Tour guides lead visitors through tourist attractions, providing information about their natural and cultural significance. They often act as interpreters for travelers who don’t speak the local language. Automated systems like audio tours are sometimes used, and tour operators often hire guides to lead tourist groups.
What is the purpose of tour guide training?
A successful training program helps guide professionals develop their storytelling skills, leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities. It helps guide professionals recognize their strengths and weaknesses, gain confidence in their role, and take steps towards personal and professional growth. Guides also need knowledge of first aid and safety protocols, as well as emergency response skills. Knowledge of the destination, such as local history, culture, and geography, is essential.
Some tours may require sector-specific knowledge, such as culinary culture or ecology for food tours or ghost tours. However, the way this information is shared is what makes a memorable experience. A well-trained guide can transform their knowledge into engaging stories that make guests feel something, including laughter, tears, conflict, surprise, entertainment, inspiration, and personal connections.
Why is a guide important?
A guide is a valuable resource that can help you understand and appreciate the unique aspects of a destination, such as historical, religious, and cultural contexts. They can answer questions about the customs, habits, and morals of the people, and can explain what makes a country different from your own. A good tour guide simplifies the process of obtaining tickets, making reservations, and checking operating hours. They can also provide tips on when to visit attractions, when prices are best, and which places to skip.
A good guide can help you get the most out of your travels by arranging private, after-hours tours or bringing you to an attraction early. They are educated and trained to guide and licensed by the Greek Ministry of Tourism. To become certified, a university degree in History/Archaeology/Arts and a 2-month seminar for tour guides are required. Only certified tourist guides can conduct tours within archeological sites and museums in Greece.
Why do we need a tour guide?
A guide is a valuable resource for travelers seeking a personalized tour experience. They can create a customized itinerary, arrange accommodations and transportation, and potentially save money. They can provide tips on dining, entertainment, and avoidance, making tours suitable for families or history buffs. A knowledgeable guide can highlight important facts during sightseeing visits, especially during limited time in a destination.
A guide can also introduce you to lesser-known places of interest, allowing you to experience the trip as an insider. They can provide insights into the best places frequented by locals and provide a unique perspective on the trip.
A guide also helps make sense of what you are seeing, putting it in its historical, religious, and cultural context. They can answer questions about the customs, habits, and morals of the people, and explain what makes a country different from your own. Overall, a knowledgeable guide is essential for a memorable and enjoyable tour experience.
What should a tour guide do before the tour?
A tour guide’s role involves greeting visitors, providing information about the tour’s itinerary, planning and managing the itinerary, learning and memorizing details, understanding the tour’s layout and location, setting up and maintaining equipment, being prepared for emergencies, and ensuring guests remain safe. Successful tour guides continuously build and improve their skills throughout their careers to provide memorable and engaging experiences.
Learning new information and skills keeps the tours fresh and engaging, and enthusiasm and enjoyment capture guests’ attention. To be a better tour guide, one should be enthusiastic, enjoy their job, and follow proper protocols. These tips can be applied to both new and experienced tour guides.
What is expected from a tour guide?
A tour guide’s communication skills are crucial as they provide direction, share facts, and entertain guests. They must speak fluently and coherently, commanding attention despite distractions. Tour guides often become adept at memorizing scripts and delivering natural performances. However, they should also be good at remembering names and faces. By addressing every guest by name, they can transform a tour from average to extraordinary, making them feel valued and appreciated. This makes them a valuable asset to any tour, as they help guests feel valued and appreciated throughout their journey.
What skills should a good tour guide have?
A good tour guide is a key factor in transforming ordinary trips into unforgettable experiences. They possess strong communication skills, unwavering enthusiasm, flexibility, adaptability, impressive memory, a good storyteller, multilingual abilities, cultural sensitivity, and tech-savvy. These qualities make them the backbone of every tour, transforming ordinary getaways into unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a tour operator or a travel enthusiast, these guides are the heartbeat of travel, transforming ordinary trips into unforgettable experiences.
Key skills include strong communication, genuine enthusiasm, adaptability, keen memory, multilingual capabilities, cultural sensitivity, and tech-savvy. Investing in guide training enhances tour quality and ensures that guides are not only knowledgeable but also adaptable and continuously learn.
📹 Qualities of a Successful Tour Director and Guide
Add comment