13 Qualities Of A Great Tour Guide

Summary

The video emphasizes the growing potential of the experience economy, suggesting opportunities for people passionate about sharing local knowledge as tour guides or experience hosts. It explains how the experience market could rival e-commerce, driven by Millennials' preference for experiences over goods. Gus Moore, a seasoned tour guide, shares essential qualities for success in the industry, such as flexibility, empathy, storytelling, leadership, and technological savvy. He also highlights the importance of being present, anticipating guests' needs, and maintaining a positive, fun atmosphere during tours.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The experience industry, including tours, is predicted to be massive, rivaling the market cap of companies like Amazon and Alibaba.
• 🚀 Airbnb's CEO suggests that experiences are the next big market, with Millennials preferring them over physical goods.
• 🧳 Being a tour guide is an opportunity for those passionate about sharing their interests with others, much like Uber provided for car owners.
• 🔄 Openness to change is crucial for tour guides, as each day and group can present different challenges and needs.
• 👂 Tour guides must be interested in people, good listeners, and able to find common ground through conversation.
• 👀 Anticipation of guests' needs is key, similar to a good waiter, ensuring comfort and satisfaction.
• 🎉 A positive attitude and the ability to have fun are essential for engaging tour guides.
• 📸 Knowing the best photo spots and how to frame a shot can enhance guests' experiences.
• 🗣️ The ability to tell a good story and read a crowd is important for keeping guests engaged.
• 🤔 Self-awareness helps tour guides manage their appearance and emotions to positively influence the group's experience.
• 📱 Tour guides need to be proficient with smartphones for quick translations, directions, and answering questions.
• 🍽️ Ensuring meal experiences run smoothly is part of a tour guide's responsibility, often involving service and clearing duties.
• 🏙️ Having local knowledge and understanding of the city's living conditions and culture is important but not the only quality needed.
• 👊 A thick skin is necessary for dealing with various personalities and handling reviews without taking feedback personally.
• 🧘‍♂️ Being present in the moment is fundamental for anticipating needs, ensuring safety, and creating memorable experiences.

Q & A

What does the CEO of Airbnb suggest about the future of the experience industry?

The CEO suggests that the experience industry is going to be massive, with potential market opportunities that could rival physical goods industries like Amazon and Alibaba.

Why is the experience industry compared to the sharing economy in the video?

The experience industry is compared to the sharing economy because, similar to how Uber allows people to monetize their cars, hosting experiences or being a tour guide allows people to make a living by sharing their passions.

What is one of the most important qualities a tour guide should have, according to the video?

One of the most important qualities is being open to change. A tour guide needs to adapt to different situations and challenges that arise each day.

How can a tour guide anticipate the needs of their group?

A tour guide can anticipate the needs of their group by ensuring plenty of restroom breaks, adjusting the temperature in a tour bus, and generally paying attention to the comfort and needs of the group.

What role does storytelling play in being a tour guide?

Storytelling is a key skill for tour guides. They need to engage the group with interesting stories, read the crowd, and adjust their content if a story or joke isn’t working.

Why is self-awareness important for tour guides?

Self-awareness helps tour guides maintain their appearance, manage their emotions, and improve situations by understanding how they affect others.

What leadership qualities should a good tour guide possess?

A good tour guide should be confident, able to stay calm under pressure, and lead the group in a way that ensures everyone feels safe and engaged.

Why is being proficient with a smartphone important for tour guides?

A smartphone is essential for tasks like translating conversations, finding directions, or answering questions that the guide might not immediately know.

What knowledge, besides historical facts, is useful for a tour guide?

Tour guides should also know about the local cost of living, housing options, available jobs, and where locals shop and find deals, as this information is often valuable to tourists.

Why is it essential for tour guides to live in the present moment?

Living in the present moment allows tour guides to be fully engaged with their group, ensuring they are aware of the group's needs, and can deliver an authentic and enjoyable experience.