Tour guide..
We have alway trained our tour guides the following characteristics:
Speaks Loudly and Clearly; Uses Non-Verbal Communication; Smiles; Makes eye contact; Uses body language; Acts Professionally; Is punctual; Greets tourists; Is courteous and attentive ; Dresses well; prepares in Advance; Completes a site inventory; Researches; Practices; Provides Necessary Information for Tourists; Informs visitors of the location, time, and length of tour; Informs visitors what they will need to bring and wear; Informs visitors of park rules and special considerations; Is a Good Naturalist; Uses binoculars; Uses field guides; Can identify examples of all common species in the region; Takes advantage of teachable moments; Knows the difference between a bird tour and a thematic tour; Refer to “Bird Watching Guide Characteristics”; Knows the Audience; Learns about visitors between stops; Uses visitor and universally relevant information to make examples more personal; Helps the Tourists Learn by Themselves; Asks questions; Engages tourists in “Guided Discovery” (asks questions and gives hints to help tourists figure things out on their own) ; Has a “Message” for Every Tour; Simple full-sentence “message”; Message is original; Prepares a Structure for Every Tour ; Uses an introduction, stops, and a conclusion; Writes an outline; Stops exhibit attractive natural resources/appropriate examples of message; Has a POW at the Beginning of Every Tour; Makes the Tour Dynamic; Uses games, activities, or demonstrations; Uses sense activities besides vision; Uses natural objects or other props; Uses Interesting Language; Relays natural history stories appropriate to the message; Manages the Group; Makes sure everyone can see and hear well; Assures visitors safe passage; Handles unexpected situations; Chooses comfortable locations for stops; Knows First-Aid and Carries Appropriate Equipment; Assembles and carries a First-aid kit; Attends to the injured; Carries appropriate comfort equipment; Relays Accurate Information and Handles Difficult Questions; Relays only accurate information; Is honest; Writes down visitor questions and follows up with answers (contact info); Is able to act as a nature detective; suggesting possible answers; Suggests a Relevant Conservation Action; Illustrates environmental and conservation problems; Suggests an action that tourists can undertake to help protect the area; Helps visitors to care for the site during their visit; Makes Smooth Transitions Between Stops; Asks questions or provides an activity to maintain tourist interest between stops; Talks to tourists between stops; Evaluates the Tour; Asks questions at the end—conducts a “check for learning”; Does a self-evaluation; Distributes and collects a tourist survey; Continues to Learn and Improve the Tour ...