b efore you quit your day job

BEFORE YOU QUIT YOUR DAY JOB

THINGS TO PONDER

Matakuliah : G0404/Tour GuidingTahun : 2006/2007

WHY GROUP TRAVEL?

• CONVENIENT, HASSLE-FREE TRAVELSomeone else takes care of all the planning.People expect to be buffered from all

worries.

• COMPANIONSHIP

• SAFETY

WHY GROUP TRAVEL? (continue)

• AFFORDABILITY

• KNOWLEDGEABLE LEADER A competent, knowledgeable tour director

will ensure there are many pleasant vacation memories.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF TOURS

• CRUISING• RAIL TOURS• BUS TOURS• ADVENTURE/ECO TOURS• CITY TOURS• THEME TOURS

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GUIDES

• LOCAL GUIDE:(a)Site guide works at specific location.(b)Step-on guide often freelancers working on contract guides employed directly by a tour

company and paid an hourly rate(c) Driver guide(d) Meet-and-greet guide

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GUIDES(continue)

• TOUR DIRECTOR A guide with all the additional headaches

of planning accommodations, meals, and long-distance travel.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GUIDES(continue)

• TOUR OPERATOR Designs and markets tours that they sell

either direct to the public or through travel agencies.

CAN YOU REALLY DO THIS DREAM JOB?

THE REWARDS• Freedom• Challenge and excitement• Creative opportunity• Sharing the joy of a destination• Meeting people• Tax write-offs

DAY TO DAY – THE REALITY• Long hours• You are never off duty• Be prepared for complaints• You are not going to get rich• Home is where the laundry is

GETTING THE JOB

“A passion for travel is an essential quality.

If you can honestly say you would still be traveling even if you weren’t being paid for it, then this may just be the

perfect profession for you”

ASSESSING YOURSELF

(1) Characteristics of success(2) Sticking to your goals• Put your goals down on paper• Review and revise• Learn from your mistakes(3) Do your homework• Network• Associations and organizations• Read and research

FORMAL EDUCATION• REMEMBER: Before you invest in what are often high

fees, assess how well the training will advance your personal goals.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE

• Learning a language: If you can’t speak the language of a

country you are visiting, a willingness to attempt some basic phrases will usually win approval.

• Body language: Don’t forget that language is not made up

only of words. Every culture has idioms, gestures and other nonverbal language.

YOUR RESUME• Use plain, white paper• Keep it short, to the point, and accurate

#1 TIPS: Once you are invited for an interview, be

prepared before you go in, be natural during the process, and remember that “fit” within the company is just as important as skills and experience.

A STARTING POINTThe best starting point of any job search is

in your own community.Tour operators need reliable guides

everywhere because tours are created everywhere.

HOW MUCH WILL I MAKE?• Pay rates• Contracts

LAST TIPS: Be sure you check the local

licensing and registration requirements before you take a tour out. Some countries fine heavily if you are caught without the proper certification.

MEET THE PLAYERS

“Knowing what goes on behind the scenes will put you in a better position

to solve the problems.”

Matakuliah : G0404/Tour GuidingTahun : 2006/2007

1.THE TRAVEL SUPPLIERS• Airlines• Consolidators and wholesalers• Tour operators• Hotel and car rental agencies• Insurance• Cruises

2. AGENCY SPECIALITIES• If you are going to run your own tour

operation, you will need to find a travel agency to work with.

3. TRAVEL REGULATORS

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME THE PERFECT TOUR DIRECTOR?

• GENERAL DUTIESPresent a professional image at all times

●Learn everyone’s name●Encourage everyone to feel they belong●Mind your p’s and q’s●Avoid comparisons with other companies●Don’t show favoritism●Do not take sides●Always be immaculately groomed

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME THE PERFECT TOUR DIRECTOR? (continue)

Encourage people to experience the uniqueness of a destination

Be enviromentally awareHurry up latecomersKeep written, daily reportsHave map, will travelProviding commentary

•The area’s natural environment•Sociology•The area history and current statistics•Transportation•Taxes

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME THE PERFECT TOUR DIRECTOR? (continue)

It’s all a matter of communicationKeep people informed about all activitiesConfirm and reconfirm all reservationBe prepared

YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY

Weeks of preparation and planning are all about to pay off.

At the airport

●Confirm your group’s reservation●Departure day●Checking in●Boarding●During the flight●On arrival at the destination terminal

Hotels and LuggageHotels

●On arrival●Moving on, checking out

Luggage●Precautions●Keeping track while on tour●A Lifesaver tracking tip●Lost luggage

Dining

●Seating●Considerations for group dining●Menus●take regular breaks●The “best” place to eat may not be●On arrival

Border crossing and other wild animals

●Passports and travel documentation●Restricted items●Register valuables●Duty free●Keep all receipts●carry only what is yours

Selling optional excursions and

• Add-ons are frequently, but far from always, arranged and paid for at the time of the original booking.

TIPS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BRIEFING

(REMEMBER: A get-acquainted party is a traditional, fun way to break the ice at the beginning of the tour.)

(a) Highlights of the tour itinerary(b) Daily procedures such as wake-up calls,

luggage handling, and sightseeing(c) Local details such as currency exchange and

what side of the road traffic drives on

TIPS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BRIEFING (continue)

(d) Reminder about punctuality(e) Explanation of emergency procedures

ALSO:Farewell gatherings allow people to reminisce about their experiences on the tour.

OVER LAND AND SEA

Matakuliah : G0404/Tour GuidingTahun : 2006/2007

Cruising

All aboardGetting to know your floating hotelThe send-off partyShore excursionsMaking it uniqueYou are still in charge

Motor coaches – on the buses

Seat RotationSafetyLet the games beginYour driver and youWashroom and pit stops

Problems come in all sizes

•Lost or stolen propertyCredit cardPassportDriver’s licenseTraveler’s checks

Problems come in all sizes

•Health issuesLook after your own healthCarry first-aid basicsIllness or injuryDeath

Problems come in all sizes (continue)

•Dismissing someone from the tour•Bumping•Missing Member

See you again soon – following up

Short-term follow-up Short-term follow-up happens at the end

of the trip or within a short time after your clients return home.

small gift or personal thank you note encourages repeat business and new referrals.

See you again soon – following up (continue)

Long-term follow-up long-term follow-up reinforces customer

loyalty.

Newsletters are a relatively inexpensive way of keeping in touch with your past clients.