The Professional Guide: Dynamics of Tour Guiding

Travel and tourism is emerging as one of the world's largest and most dynamic industries. This handbook aims to provide guides with a foundation to the tourism and travel industry. It begins with a definition of the various kinds of guides and an overview of guiding throughout history and the world. It then explores and examines the following areas: theories and techniques of learning; research and preparation of travel commentary; assessing and addressing the needs of travellers; leadership skills and group psychology; public speaking and presentation skills; logistics and ethics of lecturing in public places; techniques of interpreting art, architecture and the natural environment; logistics involved in walking and motorized tours; leading extended excursions; multilingual guiding; guiding the disabled; marketing and the business of guiding; professional etiquette and ethics of guiding; trends and the future of guiding.