A private tour guide is a person who leads people on tours of the local area. They may offer expert information on the history, culture, and customs of a place. They can also lead recreational excursions or adventure activities. People usually hire a private tour guide to take advantage of their expertise and local knowledge, or when they want personalized service. Generally speaking, becoming a private tour guide requires passing an examination and being licensed to lead tours. A person who wants to become a tour guide can work for a local tour company or start their own business.
In order to be successful, a private tour guide must possess excellent customer service skills and have good leadership capabilities. They must also be able to deal with different types of personalities, including people who are disabled, elderly, or have medical conditions. Additionally, they must be able to travel often and stay current on their tour knowledge.
Another quality that a great private tour guide should have is sensitivity to group needs. This is particularly important in a tour setting where people are already formed into bubbles and tend to avoid conversations with those outside of their group. The best way to ensure that a tour is enjoyable for everyone in the group is to find out what each person likes and doesn’t like.
The fastest way to annoy fellow tourists on a tour is to ask too many questions. A private tour guide will be happy to answer any question that comes up, but it is a good idea for you to do some research beforehand so that you know what kinds of questions are appropriate to ask. For example, asking about a taboo topic is likely to upset the rest of the group and can cause a confrontation.
Having a personal tour guide will make you feel special. While group tours rely on shuffled groups of tourists, a private tour guide will provide you with more privacy and comfort. This is especially helpful if you’re travelling with young children, seniors, or anyone else who requires extra care while on vacation.
While some companies advertise their services as private, not all of them are legitimate. In fact, it’s a good idea to read reviews and ask for references before hiring a tour guide. There are a number of online review sites that allow you to see what other people have said about the services offered, but it’s important to keep in mind that not all reviews are accurate or trustworthy.
Victoria of Cotswold Teacup Tours spends a lot of time driving and walking around the Cotswolds to discover the quieter spots, idyllic villages, and other places that are off the beaten track. This helps her guests experience the true Cotswold lifestyle, and it allows them to avoid crowds and queues. She also plans her visits to popular attractions at times that are less busy, such as early in the day before coaches and busloads of tourists arrive.