TOUR GUIDING, A VOCATION
(Erico Joseph T. Canete)
The book “The Joys of Teaching” written in 1998 by Antonio Torralba, Ph.D., my philosophy professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific, inspired me a lot in writing this piece. Teaching and tour guiding have similar characteristics, discipline and mission. Allow me to share this reflection guided by his thoughts.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) defined tour guide as an individual, typically holding a specific area qualification, who leads tourists (foreign or domestic) through attractions, sites, or destination for a fee, commission, or lawful remuneration. They are licensed by the LGU and accredited by the DOT to provide information and interpretation of cultural and natural heritage.
Let’s posit these questions: Why not become a tour guide? Why become a tour guide? The first one is probably the more logical first poser. I can think of five reasons.
The first is “financial stability”. Tourism industry here is considered as relatively stable depending upon the season, peak or lean. We guide, we are paid. No guests, no income unless one is a regular employee or a staff guide in a tourism agency. During the lean season, it is extremely difficult to survive and raise a family as a tour guide.
The second is underestimating the profession as a “low prestige”. On many occasions that tour guides were mistakenly considered as pimps or as a gateway for the redlight district. Some may attribute inferiority for acting as dockhand at the pier carrying luggage or doing errands.
The third is “too many concerns.” The tour guide is the person behind every tour. He greets the tourists with enthusiasm and respect. He manages schedules and itineraries specified in the tour program. He talks. He narrates. He informs. He adds aesthetics and rhetoric in his narrative to create a sense of belongingness and nostalgia to his guests. He acts as a cultural ambassador explaining the significance of history and culture to the contemporary lives of the community. He ensures the safety of tourists. In general, he takes care of the needs of the tourists like food, picture taking, first aid, security, time management, among others. Too many responsibilities!
The fourth is “too many hardheads.” There is always a muse or prince charming among the tourists of any tour guide. But many times, for every apple of the eye, there are lions that can convert the bus to a lion’s den.
The fifth is “little time for oneself.” Most likely, a good tour guide discovers that he has less and less time for oneself because more and more time is being eaten up by his family and guiding concerns. A tour guide does not even have the time to spend leisure or peace with oneself.
But why choose to become a tour guide? I can think of five reasons each of which can overshadow all of the five reasons mentioned.
Tour guiding is the profession with a sterling nobility. As one conscientiously serves his guests, one is expected to be humble or equipped with moral standards. This makes his profession desirable and noble.
Tour guiding deepens humanity. Tour guides should be persons showing understanding about human nature characterized by good character. It helps one to understand better our guests, being tolerant, and considerate. Otherwise, how can one serve without this trait?
Tour guiding is a means to develop any guest’s sense of wonder. Wisdom begins with knowledge and knowledge begins with a sense of wonder. Excellent guiding pricks the mind to ask questions about the place, its culture, about life, about society, about God. Wisdom again starts when one asks questions. It ends when one stops asking. Keep on wondering, keep on learning, keep on growing, keep on nurturing.
Tour guiding is one great adventure. The bus tour begins. He encounters 40 distinct personalities, with 40 distinguishable natural endowments and limitations and attitudes. If the tour guide is keen and reflective enough, and despite the short encounter, who knows at the end of the tour he has a raw material for 40 novels full of human drama with the potential for becoming bestsellers.
Tour guiding leads to the great reward. There’s more reward to tour guiding than the monetary blessing. After sharing the spiritual significance of the tangible heritage of the church, or after sharing a faith experience without even attempting to evangelize, it’s spiritually consoling to hear an apostate willing to become a revert or to return to the Catholic faith. Alas! You have the greatest tip that money can’t buy; gaining one soul back to God.
Tour guiding as a profession is not just a way to earn a living but a way of living. Despite of one’s limitation and flaws, it’s a vocation to serve not just for the industry or economy but above all for the service of our fellowmen and God.
Salute to all my fellow tour guides as we celebrate the International Tourist Guides’ Day!