Profession park guide

Park guides assist visitors, interpret cultural and natural heritage and provide information and guidance to tourists in parks such as wildlife, amusement and nature parks.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Social / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Local geography

  The range of physical and geographical properties and descriptions of a local area, by street names and not only.

• Local area tourism industry

  The characteristics of local sights and events, accommodation, bars and restaurants and leisure activities.

• Geographical areas relevant to tourism

  The field of tourism geography in Europe as well as the rest of the world in order to point out relevant tourism areas and attractions.

• Sightseeing information

  The sightseeing information of a particular touristic site.

Skills

• Handle personal identifiable information

  Administer sensitive personal information on customers securely and discreetly

• Perform clerical duties

  Perform administrative tasks such as filing, typing up reports and maintaining mail correspondence.

• Provide tourism related information

  Give customers relevant information about historical and cultural locations and events while conveying this information in an entertaining and informative manner.

• Follow ethical code of conduct in tourism

  Carry out touristic services according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes fairness, transparency and impartiality.

• Create solutions to problems

  Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.

• Provide visitor information

  Provide directions and other relevant information to visitors.

• Read maps

  Read maps effectively.

• Use different communication channels

  Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.

• Manage tourist groups

  Monitor and guide tourists ensuring positive group dynamics and address areas of conflict and concern where they occur.

• Inform visitors at tour sites

  Distribute booklets, show audio-visual presentations, give guidance and relevant comments at tour site locations. Explain the history and functionality of tour highlights and respond to questions.

• Monitor visitor tours

  Monitor visitors' touring activities to ensure compliance with legislation and safety practices.

• Collect visitor fees

  Collect fees from visitors and group members.

• Speak different languages

  Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

• Maintain customer service

  Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.

• Manage health and safety standards

  Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company's health and safety programmes.

• Welcome tour groups

  Greet newly arrived groups of tourists at their starting point to announce details of upcoming events and travel arrangements.

• Maintain relationship with suppliers

  Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.

• Escort visitors to places of interest

  Bring tourists to places of interest such as museums, exhibitions, theme parks or art galleries.

• Handle tour contract details

  Administer tour contract details in order to make sure that tourists receive all services included in the tour package.

• Ensure health and safety of visitors

  Take the necessary precautions to ensure the physical safety of an audience or people visiting an activity. Prepare actions in case of emergency. Administer first aid and direct emergency evacuations.

• Register visitors

  Register visitors after greeting them. Distribute any required identification badges or safety devices.

• Handle veterinary emergencies

  Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.

• Conduct educational activities

  Plan, perform and supervise educational activities for a variety of audiences, such as for school children, university students, specialist groups, or members of the public.

• Assemble visitor supplies

  Collect and check all required supplies and equipment before departure.

• Select visitor routes

  Examine and select points of interest, travel routes and sites to be visited.

• Train guides

  Give training to fellow guides and volunteers.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB