If you want to become a professional tour guide, it’s important that you get out there and learn the industry. The best way to do this is by joining a local tour guide guild.
Traveling also teaches you to appreciate the natural beauty of the world, as well as its fragility. You may see forests disappearing, or coral reefs dying before your eyes.
1. Know Your Destination
First, think about what kind of Global tourist trips you’re looking for. If you want to relax, choose destinations that are known for their beaches and low-key vacay vibes. If you want an adventure, look for a destination that offers outdoor adventures and thrilling experiences.
Once you know what kind of trip you’re planning, it will be easier to pick your destination and plan your time there. You’ll also be able to figure out the best time to visit based on weather and crowds. For example, avoid popular tourist spots during school holidays and peak season to cut down on prices and crowdedness.
It’s also a good idea to learn some basic words in the local language before you arrive. This will make it easier to communicate and can help you avoid being a target for petty theft. It’s also a great way to get a feel for the culture and get to know locals. If you’re a native English speaker, learning Spanish or French can be done in just a few weeks, but languages like Arabic or Mandarin require a longer commitment.
2. Learn Some Basic Words in Your Destination’s Language
The best way to blend in as a tourist is to learn some basic words and phrases in your destination’s language. There are many different resources available online and apps for learning the language of your travels, but the most important thing is to practice. Talk to yourself, your friends, or your cat- just practice so that you know how to pronounce the words and can ask for help when needed.
If you can speak the language, locals will be more likely to help you out and show you a good time. Plus, it’s a great way to show that you respect the culture enough to make an effort.
The most useful words will depend on your travels, but a few essentials include words like: please, thank you, and excuse me. Also, knowing the numbers 1-10 is a must (especially when asking for prices at shops or restaurants). Finally, having a customer service mindset and being able to ask questions about your trip will go a long way in making you more lovable as a traveler!
3. Practice Your English Skills
If you aren’t a fluent English speaker, it can be intimidating to think about working as a tour guide abroad. Fortunately, there are many ways to practice your English skills. You can read novels, listen to podcasts and watch movies in English, all of which will help you increase your vocabulary and understanding of sentence structure and punctuation. You can also practice your spoken English by practicing with native speakers.
Practicing your English will also help you adapt to the culture of your destination country. You will likely encounter things that are culturally insensitive or just plain rude where you are traveling, so it’s important to be able to understand the different cultural norms and expectations of the place you’re visiting.
Having experience in customer service can also be helpful for a tour guide, because you will be dealing with people of all types throughout your day-to-day as a guide. If you have worked in a restaurant, hotel or other customer-facing job, then you already have a great foundation for this kind of work.
4. Learn About the History of Your Destination
Every destination has a history that influences its culture and traditions. Even if you’re not a history buff, learning about the history of your travel destination can be a fun way to enrich your travels. Some ways to do this include visiting historical ruins, museums and sites that have a significance to the local culture.
Another great way to learn about the history of a travel destination is through food. Many cultures have a history of eating certain foods, or celebrating holidays or events through the foods that they eat. You can also take virtual tours to see a location as it originally looked and explore the cultural significance of a particular place.
GTTP has partnered with educational institutions and government agencies to bring a quality travel curriculum to schools across the globe. This program teaches students about the tourism industry and how it can be used to make a difference in people’s lives. Students who graduate from the program will have access to a private Facebook group called “TripSchool Grads,” where they can discuss their questions about the industry with other graduates and tour directors from around the world.
5. Be Flexible
Whether it’s learning to love a food that makes you uncomfortable, or rolling with the unexpected curveballs that travel often brings (like flight changes), all world travelers learn to adapt. It’s a necessary skill that makes traveling so worthwhile.
Lastly, it’s important for Westerners to always stay conscious of the impact they have on their host countries, and not take advantage of local people. This could include avoiding buying from multinational corporations like McDonald’s, and donating money to local charities instead.
Conclusion
Being flexible is also key when it comes to using credit card points and miles! If you want to fly to Paris in June but haven’t earned enough points yet, that probably ain’t gonna happen. The best way to get around this is to book flights in advance, but be sure to have a backup plan if you can’t make it work out. Many rental car agencies and services like Turo have a refundable option that’s much less than the standard rate, so this is a great way to keep your trip on track while still being able to use rewards!