The Duties and Responsibilities of Tour Guides

Know what you need

The duties and responsibilities of a tour guide come from knowing what's ahead of him, what are his needs to provide the best possible service for the clients/tourists.

Tours can vary from day trips to a 20-day tour around the country or even longer than a day. Let's take a simple day-trip example so we can see what's needed. In most cases preparation can be done on the day before and should take into account:

Is the vehicle fully serviced and ready for the job? An oil and water check have to be in your to do list. Check the tyres pressure as well. It can save you up to 10% in fuel consumption.
A spare litre of oil should be in the vehicle at all times.
Is the vehicle clean? Windows (really) clean?
Have you got a complete first aid kit? Assuming you have your first aid course.
Do the tourists have any special requirements? Any language barriers you should be aware of?
Do you need to pack any lunch or snacks? Enough water to every body?
Any special information about the area you are going to visit? Do you need to do any research?
Mobile phone fully charged? You will need it in case of a breakdown or a more serious emergency.
Make sure you have enough sleep if you have an early start next day. You want to be on time, look fresh and full of energy. And there's nothing better than a good night sleep.
Don't forget your uniform. You want to look professional!

The service

First impression is (almost) everything! Therefore being on time and approaching the tourists with a great smile can make all the difference. Just by doing that you are off to a good start!

Once on the road you are ready to show your clients all the knowledge you have of the region. Remember that all eyes are on you and you must deliver a good service. You are not a taxi driver. Part of the job is driving but the most important part is to interact with your clients.