THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Principal Investigator Prof. S. P. Bansal,

Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi University, Rewari

Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Prashant K. Gautam,

Director, UIHTM, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Paper Coordinator Prof. Sandeep Kulshreestha,

Director, Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management

Paper Co-Coordinator Dr. Saurabh Dixit,

Nodal Officer, IITTM, Gwalior

Content Writer Dr. Saurabh Dixit,

Nodal Officer, IITTM, Gwalior

Content Reviewer Dr. Prashant K. Gautam,

Director, UIHTM, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Paper 9: Tour Guiding Essentials Module 01: Understanding the importance of tour guiding

Items Description of Module

Subject Name Tourism and Hospitality

Paper Name Tour Guiding Essentials

Module Title Understanding the importance of tour guiding

Module Id Module no-01

Pre- Requisites Basic knowledge of Tourism and its types

Objectives After completing this chapter you will

• Learn about the importance of tourism

• Know the historical background of tour guiding

• Basics of tour guiding

Keywords Agri tourism

Cicerone

Grand Tours

LCC

Adventure Tour

WTO

IATO

TAAI

GOI

MOT

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Job of a Tour Guide

3. Importance of tour guides in the tourism and travel business

4. Tourism through ages

5. Why Guiding is important

6. History

QUADRANT-I

Overview

India is a country where the language, food and attire changes every ten kilometers.

People here have diverse languages, dialects, accents and attires, yet our hearts remain

Indian. We are imbibed by one common feeling that is “we are Indian”. When there is

cricket match- Indians throughout hold their breaths and hope their team wins. When

there is a casualty on the border, we remain with the nation. India has many languages

and dialects and a multiplicity of culture, and is united in the face of all this.

1.0 Introduction

India is a country where the language, food and attire changes every ten kilometers.

People here have diverse languages, dialects, accents and attires, yet our hearts remain

Indian. We are imbibed by one common feeling that is “we are Indian”. When there is

cricket match- Indians throughout hold their breaths and hope their team wins. When

there is a casualty on the border, we remain with the nation. India has many languages

and dialects and a multiplicity of culture, and is united in the face of all this.

When a tourist starts from his place, he has a dream to see unique places and wants to

have unique experience. Travel services are purchased in advance by the customer or

consumer. A customer looks for the best service for the price which he pays to different

stake holders e.g. air line operator, event organizers, hotelier, tea-stall owner, or to only

one stakeholder e.g. a travel agent. Travel agent is the key entity liaoning with many

other service producers. A tour starts with a lot of planning usually by tour operators.

Tour operators are experienced in this job. They design an itinerary in such a way that

the tourists get the ‘maximum satisfaction’ or ‘utmost satisfaction’ during their travel. A

tour largely consists of two parts:-

1. Inorganic part

2. Organic part

Tourists use various means of transportation, hotel rooms, use machines like escalators,

self operated kiosks etc. These are the inorganic parts of touring. On the other hand,

tourists interact with tour escorts, guides, leaders and managers. These people try their

best to satisfy tourists through good services. A tour guide works to present excerpts from

history for tourists or make the place alive by telling interesting stories. This is the

organic part. There are three kinds of professional work with the group in field:-

1. Tour Guide

2. Tour Escort

3. Tour Manager

4. Tour Leader

Tour guide is basically associated with whole day tour guiding assignment to the

monument, palace, natural place, hills, adventure activities, ruined structures, devastated

cities, spiritual or religious place lie: Jagannath Puri etc. He handles tour group at the

tourism attraction. His work is practical and filed work. He speaks the language preferred

by the tour group. Tour Guide is authority by the travel agent and certified by appropriate

authority.

1.1 Job of a tour guide

You must have heard at times that a tour guide should be responsible and should

complete his/her job on time. Responsibility refers to successfully expediting your work

with full devotion. A tour guide has many responsibilities for e.g. reaching the hotel on

time, asking all the team members about their likes and dislikes, to ensure all facilities

and amenities on the way, to take the tourists to marked places in the itinerary on time

etc.

It is the responsibility of the tour guide to help travellers understand the place/

monument/ theme park/ location etc. Understanding a place means knowing its

importance - culturally and historically and to be aware of the culture of the region and

the way of life of its inhabitants. They have to promote the cultural heritage and relay to

the visitors the significance of the place they are visiting.

1.2 Importance of tour guides in the tourism and travel business

Tour guiding is an old profession; the concept of tour guiding has existed since ancient

times. Tour guides help you locate the place, to know each and every detail of the place,

to interpret icons, to understand the culture of the place, to understand the language and

interact with the locals, and to enjoy.

Tourist guides play a major role by escorting tourists and interpreting places for a unique

feel. A tour manager/guide is the most important person for a tour operator. He is the link

between tourists and tour operators. The success or failure of a tour depends on his

capability to handle a particular tour. He has more of s significance in adventure tours

because of the specialized nature of this activity. Thus most companies expect the guide

to have a better experience in leading tours. The roles and expectations of a tour operator

is listed below:-

The tour manager/guide acts as a representative of the travel company.

Tour manager/guide also acts as an ‘arbitrator’. In case of any confusion/

confrontation like the quality of services, the tour manager has to take appropriate

decision.

The tour operator has a ‘comprehensive responsibility’ to put the tour together,

expedite reservations, do marketing, handle money related aspects, and manage

tour managers/ guides.

Without a tour guide a tour is not as interesting. There is no story and amusement. A tour

guide engages the tourists with chit chat and keeps them busy. He/she also suggests what

to and what not to eat. He/she also suggests the local cuisine to you. People going to Tel

Aviv may enjoy the local cuisine or famous restaurants, they can also know about the

culture. For example, in Israel, people settle differences on the dinner table in a good

restaurant. Thus tour guides connect the tourists with the place. Otherwise, the tourists

will simply go to the place and come back after seeing it without connecting with the

place.

1.3 Tourism through ages

Tourism is an activity, in which someone travels to a place unusual for him. He stays for

more than 24 hours and less than 01 year. He travels for more than 24 hours and stays in

a commercial accommodation.

In India, there was concept of deshatan, teerthatan and paryatan. It was activity based.

Emphasis was given to experience gained by the tourist. During ancient time, when India

had trade relations with Afghanistan, Iran, Indonesia, Bali, Java, Sumatra, China; many

Indian businessmen traveled to these countries via water ways. They spread our culture

also. During the time of Britishers, many Indian were taken to Fiji, Mauritius, and other

island countries and got settled there. So, Indian rituals, festivals, are followed in many

countries.

Many travelers accounted their travelogues and beautifully narrated India as a treasure of

attractions. These travelers were Huan Sung, Fah Yan, Ibn Batuta, Vasco De Gama etc.

Arabs started calling India as Amazing place (now incredible India in English).

Char Dhams

There are four pilgrimage centres in Idnia i.e. Badrinath (in north), Jagannath Puri (in

Odisha), Dwaraka (in Gujrat) and Rameshwaram (in south). These are major pilgrimage

centres in the country. People visit thee places since time immemorial and feel blissful.

There are 12 (dwadas) Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva.

Spa

Spa is a place famous for hot sulphur water spring. During old time doctor were

prescribing bath in hot sulphur water to get rid of skin disease. It was a common practice.

People going for such purpose given the name of spa tourists.

Grand Tours

There was a fixed itinerary tour for affluent class youth to see France, Italy and other

countries. It was given the name of grand tours.

Tourism is a multifaceted activity. People travel for some purpose. There are a number

of forms of tourism, like: Medical Tourism, Adventure, Tourism, Health Tourism, Eco-

Tourism, Rural Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Hill Tourism, Dark Tourism, Special

Interest Tourism etc.

Tourism is a very old concept. People started travelling since time immemorial. Just after

learning plucking of fruits from trees and agriculture, it was the travel via water ways

(probably first mode of travel) in Sea and Rivers. Later on, when pathways were created

through forest, people travelled for war-fares or pilgrimage. Travel got boost up after the

introduction of currency, wheel, passport like documents and further momentum after

change of holydays to holidays.

In the middle of 20th century, Thomas Cook gave concept of tour en mass. It was like

manufacturing tour services for mass production. Mr. Pullman’s coaches were the

beginning point of tourist’s coaches. Mr. Avis introduced car rental concept.

There were hiccups during World Wars I and II. But, in post world war period travel got

momentum due to Jet Technology and Internet. The greatest game changers in speed of

aircraft (by Jet technology) and speed of signals (by internet). People started travelling in

peaceful era (after world war) as (governments of) emerging economies opened their

door for tourists in expectation to earn foreign exchange and (people in) developed

economies were seeking for relaxed atmosphere in new destinations.

After the successful climbing of Mount Everest, government of India established

mountaineering institutes at Manali, Joshimath, Pahalgaon and Darjeeling to motivate

youth towards adventure activities. It was a major step towards development of adventure

tourism in India. In the field of water sports, National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS)

was created at Goa.

Bharat Mahotsav, tourists offices of ministry of tourism and strong force of NRI’s are

constantly making efforts to market India.

Last decade of 20th century saw change in Cruises Tourism. Beginning of 21st century

confessed online travel companies working in big ways.

When tourism got the shape of planned, designed integration of various resources like:

tourist transport, accommodation, food, recreation etc. Tour Guide service became

imperative to assist the group and take care of ‘tour package software’ part also.

In India, foundation of tourism was kept after of constitution of one committee under Sir

Sarjent to take initiative for the development of tourism. Initially, ITDC was created and

hotels were built for travelers. In later stage, government opened many educational

establishments to develop human resource in the country. There are about more than 70

Universities, Colleges, Institutions are offering Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Courses.

IITTM, NCHMCT and IHM’s, FCI, Culinary Institute are major institutes in this area

beside tourism department in Bundelkhand University, Panjab University, H.P.

University, Kurukshetra Unity, H.N.B. Garhwal Central University etc.

Many state governments created Tourism Development Corporations and tourism

department in states to ensure more development.

Many new trains introduced in last 50 years like: Shatabdi Express, Palace on Wheels,

Duranto Express, Rajdhani Express, Gateman Express. For metro cities Metro trains

were planned and new concepts are also tried i.e. mono rail. In hilly regions toy train got

face lift and popularity due to access to panoramic views of mountains.

Deregulation of air lines sector adjusted pricing strategy and more number of people

started travelling by air. Low cost careers (LCC) got popularity and services to new

places. Helicopter service is more common and accessible by middle class pilgrims, who

wants to travel in less time.

IRCTC introduced innovations in train journey and catering services. Now people are

more accustomed to internet tickets (one step ahead of computerized tickets) and hygiene

in food services at their restaurants i.e. Cumsome.

But, restructuring of international economies, recession made, sudden emergencies

(SARS, Tsunami, Earth Quake etc) it more sensitive and taught tourism industry players

to planned and then operate.

Still there are few challenge of the tourism industry. These are rush and crush traffic,

sustainability, seasonality, pricing of product, segmentation etc.

In future, Tourism is expected to become major industry of the world. There will be more

growth in its’ allied sector i.e. cargo and logistics, events, hospitality, airlines etc.

There will be stiff completion among Asian countries to get the better share of tourist

traffic bound to Asia. Traffic will increase towards Africa (as it will grow more

industrially). New places will emerge and existing will saturate.

People will travel quite often with family and friends. Family tours will be marketed

more (as obviously people would like to spend more with family members). New modes

of clean transport will be introduced. Battery run cars or hybrid vehicle will be common.

There will be more number of capsule hotels. There will be more choice in food segment.

Tour guide will be full of information. His role will be more facilitating. Budget Tourists

awill also prefer to hire tour guide services.

Now, tourists are also categories as mass tourists, backpackers, excursionist, Foreign

Individual Tourist (FITs) etc.

1.4 Why Guiding is important?

An important question for every tour guide is why is guiding necessary for a traveller?

Will it survive after introduction of high tech devices, consoles, apps for guiding

virtually? What are the strengths of a tour guide? A tour guide must know following

points:

Origin of various religions

Various religions have their roots in India and because of this people all

over the world looks towards India. Many dream of visiting shrines,

monuments and other religious places of Lord Buddha, Lord Rama, and

Sufi saints like Mohammed Gaus.

Place of learning

India holds great value for those who want to learn Yoga, Meditation,

Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Traditional Dances and much more.

Places of heritage

India has many heritages sites. These sites offer a view to the rich past (of

India) through the eyes of a tour guide.

Places with rich culture

India is a country with warm climate and good agricultural resources apart

from this, rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, Kaveri, and Mahanadi ensure

goods crops thus allowing people to enjoy culture.

Diverse places, cultures, traditions at one place

When people visit India they could see many things. One can find

mountains, vast plains, desert, ravines, snow and beaches all in one

country.

Sensitisation

Tour guide sensitize people about rich past, many issues related to

environment

and changing time. They make our past presentable. When you will go to

Ajanta,

Ellora, tour guides are very sensitive towards use of polybags, cleanliness

in caves

and tourists area. They educate visitors about the environment.

They connect stories with present day problems.

Multiple views and thoughts

o There are diverse views and thoughts in our country. It is welcomed in the

democratic system of India.

o India has had a well developed system to deal with travel since ancient

times. We had the concept of deshatan, teerthatan, paryatan. People

travelling to religious places for salvation were kept under the category of

teerthatan. In our system travel was always linked to its purpose. People

going to religious places were helped by Pandas in offering prayer and

completing rituals. It was a relationally rich network.

o People going to places for business had identified locals that could help

them liaison with the local businessmen. These merchants also had

arrangements for their stay.

o During the time of Sher Shah Suri, sarais were constructed on roadsides

for the purpose of accommodation.

Linkage

A tour guides links you with the locals and helps to get knowledge about

villagers, living style, food habits, language. Sometimes, he acts as a translator.

He creates sense of trust for villagers as well as visitor.

1.14 History

Tour guiding is considered as one of the oldest occupations/professions of the

west. The evolution of tour guides and the guiding history was classified by Pond

(1993) into four periods:

First phase (3000 B.C. to A.D.500)

There are a number of references in history from the Roman Empire to the Middle

Age, throughout the renaissance and into the Modern Age. Tourism saw the first

major development during the period of the great empires. During this period,

travelling was risky, uncertain and time taking. The ancient Persians, Assyrians

and Egyptians used to travel through surface (land) and the waterways. This

activity spread and so did the number of guides, they were known as ‘explainers’

or ‘leaders around’ (as they lead the group), who mainly assisted visitors

travelling abroad.

Second phase (A. D.500 to A. D.1500)

The second phase is in the period between the fall of Rome and the start of

Renaissance known as the Middle Age and for approximately 1000 years from A.

D. 500 to 1500. Religious pilgrimage was the most prevalent type of journey by

the middle and the upper classes. The fall of Rome resulted in the decline of the

economy and chaos in the social order. The safety and security of the travellers

came as a serious concern; therefore the guides had to serve as a pathfinder,

safety escort and protector.

Third phase (A.D.1500 to around 1700)

The third phase covered the period of the Renaissance and the Grand Tour,

approximately A.D.1500 to around 1700. During the period of renaissance,

excursions were taken by the youth of prosperous families who were also called

‘Grand Tourists’ for cultural and educational reasons. These people (tourists)

were expected to enrich their knowledge through long journeys while being

accompanied by a guide who gave them information about tourist’s places to

sightsee, guides in this period came to be known as ‘cicerone’. The word cicerone

derives from Cicero, the most esteemed tour guide in the European society. The

guide was expected to be well versed in many practical subjects, areas, be

articulate and be multi-lingual.

Fourth Stage (post 1700)

Mr. Jan Carlzon (the former president of Scandinavian Airlines) termed the exact

instant when the customer (here tourists) has a direct contact with any of the

front-line employees/ staff as the ‘moment of truth’. This idea has had a marked

influence on the service industry (tourism and travel is a part of the service

industry) and is now globally accepted (Pond, 1993). Once the tourist arrives at

the tourist destination, the tour guide becomes responsible throughout the tour as

they are in regular touch with the tourist or traveller.

A tour guide’s job is physically and virtually demanding. (www.aitt.asn.au)

(http://www.123helpme.com/brief-history-of-tour-guide-preview.asp?id=259328

accessed on 29th Jan.’2017 and Works Cited Principles and ethics of Tour

Guiding by Zenaida B. Cruz, Ph.D., p. 16 - 19)

1850

Phases in Tour Guiding

First Phase (3000 B.C. to A.D.500)

Second Phase (A. D.500 to A. D.1500)

Third Phase (A.D.1500 to around 1700)

Fourth Phase (post 1700)

Tour Guiding

A Tour Guide is a person employed to show the tourist around places of interest. The

Activity of guiding tourists during a tour is known as tour guiding. Tour guiding is

ancient activity.

Summary

A Tour Guide is a person employed to show the tourist around places of interest.

His/her job is to explain the place, people, culture heritage, ethos, stories,

geography, language, traditions and festivals to the tourist. He makes them aware

about their objectives behind travelling.

The guiding history was classified by Pond (1993) into four periods. It can be

divided in to four phases. These are:-

(a) First phase ( 3000 BC to 500 AD)

(b) Second phase (500 AD to 1500 A.D.)

(c) Third phase (1500 to 1700 A.D.)

(d) Fourth phase (post 1700 A.D.)

The activity of guiding tourists during the tour is tour guiding. A tour requires the

attention of a guide to ensure meeting the expectations of clients. Tour guiding is

ancient activity.