Overview:Overview: Introduction to the Tourist Guide ProfessionIntroduction to the Tourist Guide Profession

The European Federation of Tourist Guide The European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG)Associations (FEG)

Tourist Guiding as a Unique and Distinct Tourist Guiding as a Unique and Distinct ProfessionProfession

Characteristics and Challenges of the Tourist Characteristics and Challenges of the Tourist Guide ProfessionGuide Profession

Conclusion Conclusion

Tourist Guides: The Tourist Guides: The OrphansOrphans of the Travel of the Travel

IndustryIndustry

Within the Within the TTravel ravel IIndustry confusion ndustry confusion abounds. abounds.

Tourist Tourist GGuides have been aptly called uides have been aptly called the the OOrphans of the travel industry, rphans of the travel industry, somewhat hidden within the trade. somewhat hidden within the trade.

Case Study: Tourist Case Study: Tourist GuidesGuides

Principle Elements that encourage one to Principle Elements that encourage one to pursue a career in Tourist Guiding:pursue a career in Tourist Guiding:

A passion for History and CultureA passion for History and Culture

Enthusiasm to work with peopleEnthusiasm to work with people

Willingness to serve others and proud to Willingness to serve others and proud to serveserve

Vital Elements that keep Vital Elements that keep the Profession Alivethe Profession Alive

InnovationInnovation

CreativityCreativity

DiversityDiversity

Key QuestionsKey Questions

Is Tourist Guiding a lucrative job?Is Tourist Guiding a lucrative job?

Is it sustainable?Is it sustainable?

Is the Profession appreciated and Is the Profession appreciated and valued?valued?

History has shown that History has shown that TTraining, raining, EEvaluation and valuation and

RRegulation of Tourist Guides yields egulation of Tourist Guides yields great rewards great rewards

not only for not only for TTravellers andravellers and Tourist Tourist GuidesGuides, but for , but for

SSites, ites, CCities, and whole ities, and whole SSocieties as ocieties as well. well.

European Federation of European Federation of Tourist Guide AssociationsTourist Guide Associations

Founded in 1986 Founded in 1986

Mission Statement:Mission Statement:

To represent the profession, to To represent the profession, to publicise and improve the quality of publicise and improve the quality of service offered to all visitors to service offered to all visitors to EuropeEurope

FEG Member FEG Member AssociationsAssociations

Tourist Guiding as a unique Tourist Guiding as a unique and distinctand distinct P Professionrofession

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TOURIST GUIDE TOURIST GUIDE

PROFESSIONPROFESSION

1. Qualification1. Qualification

2. 2. Heritage InterpretationHeritage Interpretation

3. 3. TrainingTraining

4. Area-specificity4. Area-specificity

5. Professionalism5. Professionalism

Tourist Guide Qualifications:Tourist Guide Qualifications:

Awarded in all EU Member States Awarded in all EU Member States

European NormEuropean Norm

EN 13809 of EN 13809 of 20032003

EN 15565 of EN 15565 of 20082008

Heritage InterpretationHeritage Interpretation

Pride in telling their region’s storyPride in telling their region’s story

TrainingTraining

Emphasis on Emphasis on QualityQuality and and StandardsStandards

Area SpecificityArea Specificity

Due to considerable concentration of Due to considerable concentration of Heritage and Diveristy of peoples, Heritage and Diveristy of peoples, beliefs, art, traditions and customsbeliefs, art, traditions and customs

ProfessionalismProfessionalism

The Term The Term Professionalism Professionalism is closely is closely linked to ongoing Training, Updating linked to ongoing Training, Updating

and Continuing Professional and Continuing Professional DevelopmentDevelopment

Conclusion: Conclusion: Guiding a Dynamic ProfessionGuiding a Dynamic Profession

For anyone who wishes to thrive For anyone who wishes to thrive personally and professionally, it is personally and professionally, it is vital to attempt to understand new vital to attempt to understand new

trends and flow with changes trends and flow with changes rather than fight them.rather than fight them.

Job satisfaction in Tourism has no limitsJob satisfaction in Tourism has no limits

Job offer variety, human communication Job offer variety, human communication and opportunity to develop new ideas.and opportunity to develop new ideas.

Job seekers need to find their Job seekers need to find their raison raison d’êtred’être in Tourism in Tourism

How can one stimulate How can one stimulate interest?interest?

Recognition of the Recognition of the TTourist ourist GGuide uide PProfession rofession as a unique and area specific professionas a unique and area specific profession

Regulate the Regulate the PProfessionrofession

Effectively Pursue the adoption of CEN15565 Effectively Pursue the adoption of CEN15565

Revisit Revisit TTourist ourist GGuide uide CoCourses – integration of urses – integration of ‘romance’ in ‘romance’ in TTourist ourist GGuide uide CCourses - the ourses - the learning process has to be largely stimulatinglearning process has to be largely stimulating

How can one stimulate How can one stimulate interest?interest?

MotivationMotivation

Involvement in discussions concerning Involvement in discussions concerning tourism tourism

Value the work of Value the work of TTourist ourist GGuides uides - - listen listen to their voiceto their voice

Instruct people in the Art of ServingInstruct people in the Art of Serving

THANK YOUTHANK YOU – – DěDěKUJI !KUJI !

Glorianne Mizzi Glorianne Mizzi FEG Executive Council OfficerFEG Executive Council Officer

E-mail: E-mail: info@feg-touristguides.org

Website: Website: www.feg-touristguides.org