2020-04-07
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Travel agents usually offer standard packages for destinations. Travelers can choose between the offers, but not so easy to change the itinerary in a package. It is hard to find customized guided tours to personal interests. The advantage of having a private tour guide is the flexibility of sightseeing. Here are some tips for tour guides to create client-oriented tours.
Consider the country origin of the traveler. People from North America have different cultural background from Asian travelers. They are interested in different things at the destination. Chinese travelers may find cathedrals imposing while British people are used to them at home. Japanese visitors prefer more time at shopping while Malaysian are more interested in food. Even within the same continent say Europe, travelers from different countries will differ in their customs. People from the same origin share similarities in culture and customs. This may not apply to all individuals from one place. Yet knowing the country origin will help a tour guide to customize
the initial tour schedule. The more a private tour guide considers, the more possible a client will confirm the guided tours.
Consider the personal background. School teachers are interested in local schools and education system. Children prefer fun activities to pure cultural visits. Business people may want to see their industry products at the destination. Include something relevant to the traveler‘s personal background when possible. This offers clients with a real customized sightseeing tour to their interest.
Consider the purpose of visit. Are the travelers coming for a family vacation? Is it a short extra day from business trip? Are they cruise passengers looking for a shore excursion? For family vacations, travelers usually look for a relaxed tour schedule. Entertainments and attraction for the kids will be appreciated. Business people are limited in time so they would prefer a compact itinerary to maximize the experience. Cruise passengers also stay short at destinations, from half a day to 2 days in one port. However, many cruise passengers would enjoy a leisure plan with visits to major scenic spots.
Consider other elements to make a better plan. For example, the number of people in the group to arrange transportation and restaurants, season and weather conditions if certain activities are affected, children and senior people in the group to adjust activity intensity… Customizing guided tours is all about personal interest. Destination is the same but travelers want their own trip and unique experience. Sightseeing tours are not about the scenic spots, but about the traveler‘s visit. It is ―my‖ trip and vacation that travelers care. Therefore, tour guides shall develop the guided tour to the traveler‘s personal interest.
Today Russian travel companies focus on the organization of both individual and group tours in various cities of Russia from Moscow to Vladivostok, from Krasnodar to Kaliningrad.
Individual approach to the organization of the tours in Russia gives us opportunity to consider all wishes of the client, to develop a step-by-step tour program, which can include a complete list of all possible services.
In any case, our experience allows us to work with group tours also. We have a big experience in organizing tour programs for groups from 20 up to 200 people, both adults and children.
Individual tours allow tourists to get better and informative tour program if it is prepared and organized individually. Individual approach to the organization of the tours does not mean that the tours should include only 2-3 persons, there can be also 40-50 people. It is important that the group is formed independently and the members have common interests. In this case, any excursion will be carried out professionally and interestingly.
Focus on the need of your clients
As a tour guide you have to think over what your clients want when enquiring about your guiding service. They want a unique and fantastic travel experience. They want a local expert to make things easy. They want a tailor-made tour specifically for themselves and their travel mates. They want their money spent with best value... Yes, all true. Although every individual is different with their travel needs, there are some patterns shared by certain groups of people. By better understanding your client, you as a tour guide will provide service of higher quality. So let‘s have a look at some clients who are interested in a private tour guide.
Business travelers
This group of clients are usually time poor. They visit a place for business, conferences, exhibitions and events etc. During their limited free time (usually half a day or one day), they would like to know the best of the city. As they are time poor do not present everything. Pick up the top things that meet their personal interests. Besides, business travelers are often interested in the area they are working on. A designer may be glad to see creative things, while an engineer can get excited about
machines and buildings. Pay attention to their interest and broaden your knowledge in daily work. A great tour guide is more than a scenery narrator.
Cruise passengers
They tend to prefer a leisure way of exploring. While on the sea they enjoy their vacation. Once on shore, they want to experience some excursions and adventure. One character they share with business travelers is limited time on-shore. So pick up something unique and not everything. And remember cruise passengers are on a vacation so they may want to be relaxed.
Senior travelers
After years of working, now they are retired. Their children have grown up and have their own families. So senior travelers have more free time to enjoy. They are usually not short of time for their tour. Design a tour with good combination of sightseeing and relaxation. Senior travelers also enjoy talking with people. Share their life experiences. A good guide shall listen to them and make good accompany during their tour.
1. Guided tours by the venue and location
- urban tours (городские)
- rural tours (загородные)
- plant tours (производственные)
- museum tours (музейные)
- combined tours (комплексные, сочетающие элементы нескольких видов).
2. Guided tours by the mode of movement
- walking tours (пешеходные)
- guided tours with the use of transport (и с использованием различных видов транспорта).
Walking tours around the city are carried out on foot. In different cities of Russia there are many interesting routes that pass through the main sights of a city, historical part is included by all means.
A tour guide can be challenged of an ideal walking tour. You need to pay attention to the tour pace (темп движения). The tour guide‘s speed needs to be OK with the slowest person in the group. Check the condition of your clients and make it easy for everyone to follow you. Mind especially if you are with elder people or children.
Walk in the front, or together with those in the front, as a tour guide is leading the way. You‘d better not have your clients stop and ask you for directions. When you arrive at corners or turns, pause or slow down. See if all your clients are within your sight. Do not lose people, otherwise you will have trouble. However, it is also advised not to pause too often. People feel as well tired with slow speed.
City walking tour has high requirements of a tour guide. The guide shall be well prepared for route selection, combination of spots along walking, speed and physical condition of travelers, resting points and toilets etc. But above all, walking is probably the best way to understand a city.
Guided tours with the use of transport Транспортные экскурсии (guided tours with the use of transport ) mostly consist of two parts - on-site presentation and tour commentaries. Travel companies may use different types of vehicles to carry out such tours – coaches, trams, trolley buses, boats, helicopters, etc.
