Philosophy of Travel

What makes a good tourist guide?

Dec 30, 2024

Philosophy of Travel

What makes a good tourist guide?

Sep 6, 2019

The basics for recognizing a good tourist guide

Your trip is perfect: you take the time to relax and enjoy every moment to the fullest. You set off to discover other cultures, different people and new places.
The tour guide is there to give meaning to your feelings, to accompany you and take you where you never thought you would go.
He is there to tell you stories where you only see stones, to narrate intertwined lives where you only see signs and names, to make you climb this hill and admire a breathtaking landscape.
You could contemplate the most beautiful painting in the world, but knowing the torments of the artist who painted it would make it even more moving.
You could cross the most picturesque alley of this old neighborhood, but discovering the life of its inhabitants of yesteryear would make you travel back in time.

The best guide does not exist: his qualities will always depend on his audience, the spirit of the times and a thousand and one surrounding factors.

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What makes a good tourist guide

Here are the qualities you should expect from a good tour guide

    • Passion
      A good guide is above all a passion for his job. Without passion, he will not be able to convey anything, and you will only feel boredom. Without passion, time will seem endless, and little by little, the group will fade away. With his passion, the guide will know how to enchant you and captivate you on a subject that you did not know existed five minutes before.
    • The Dosage
      A good guide is a clever mix of historical stories, dates, anecdotes and also silences, to give tourists time to appreciate, observe and dream.
    • Humor
      A good guide must have humor. He will captivate his audience even more with a little joke, an unexpected remark or a touch of spontaneity. It is up to him to bring fantasy to his visit, which will leave a lasting impression on people.
    • Eloquence
      A good guide must, of course, know how to speak in public with a loud and intelligible voice, but without excessive emphasis. He should not consider himself a teacher, but a companion of discovery.
    • Availability
      A good guide must be available, both to answer questions and to deal with the unexpected events of a visit. Always respectful towards the group, he must be fair to everyone. However, he must not let himself be overwhelmed by unpleasant or disrespectful behavior.
    • Observation
      A good guide must know how to observe his group and adapt to each person: an elderly person walking more slowly, a crying child, or a tourist absorbed in his photos. He must also plan the necessary breaks for everyone’s comfort.
    • The pace
      A good guide must know his visit inside out and manage his travel time. He must ensure a balance between walking, explanations and planned or unplanned breaks, without letting himself get overwhelmed.
    • The smile
      Finally, and this is often the key to everything (not just for a good guide), a smile brings kindness and sympathy, and it helps to defuse many situations.
    • Flexibility
      A good guide should be able to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Whether it’s a sudden change in weather, a delayed group member, or an unexpected event, flexibility is essential to ensuring the visit remains enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.
    • Knowledge
      While passion is crucial, a good guide must also have a deep knowledge of the subject they are presenting. This includes historical facts, cultural insights, and lesser-known anecdotes that add depth and context to the visit.
    • Empathy
      A good guide must understand the needs and emotions of their group. Whether it’s offering encouragement to a tired participant or being patient with someone who asks many questions, empathy helps create a positive group dynamic.
    • Storytelling
      The ability to tell engaging and vivid stories is a hallmark of a great guide. By weaving facts into compelling narratives, they can transport their audience to another time or place, making the visit memorable and enjoyable.
    • Enthusiasm
      Enthusiasm is contagious, and a good guide knows how to share their excitement about the subject. This energy helps keep the group engaged and makes the experience truly unforgettable.


Who better than a tour guide to show you the must-see or unusual tourist sites?
Being a guide is much more than a job: it’s a passion, and their only goal is to share it with you.

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