Start & Run a Tour Guiding Business

by Braidwood, Barbara; Boyce, Susan; Cropp, Richard

• ISBN13: 9781551802848
• ISBN10: 1551802848
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-07-01
• Publisher: Self-Counsel Press

Summary

Whether you want to travel year-round or for two weeks every summer, whether your ideal is tropical climates or icy mountaintops, luxury hotels or backpacks and hiking boots, tour guiding is one route to traveling where and when you like. This career demands creativity, planning, and sometimes endless patience, but you set your own timetable and pursue your own itinerary. The authors provide background information on the travel industry, describe what is involved in tour guiding, explain how to develop tours to your favorite destination, and outline the planning you must do no matter where you are going. They also include a blue print for entrepreneur who wants to establish a larger tour operation.

Author Biography

Barbara and Richard make their living writing about travel and the business of travel. They also worked in the travel industry for many years as agents, managers, owners of travel agencies, and as consultants to other firms and individuals. Susan is a professional writer and editor who focuses on travel writing.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xix
Introduction	xxi
Before you Quit your Day Job	1	(6)
Why group travel?	1	(2)
Convenient, hassle-free travel	2	(1)
Companionship	2	(1)
Safety	3	(1)
Affordability	3	(1)
Knowledgeable leader	3	(1)
Different types of tours	3	(2)
Cruising	3	(1)
Rail tours	3	(1)
Bus tours	4	(1)
Adventure/eco tours	4	(1)
City tours	4	(1)
Theme tours	4	(1)
Different types of guides	5	(2)
Local guide	5	(1)
Tour director	6	(1)
Tour operator	6	(1)
Can You Really Do This Dream Job?	7	(6)
The rewards	8	(1)
Freedom	8	(1)
Challenge and excitement	8	(1)
Creative opportunity	8	(1)
Sharing the joy of a destination	8	(1)
Meeting people	9	(1)
Tax write-offs	9	(1)
Day to day--the reality	9	(4)
Long hours	9	(1)
You are never off duty	10	(1)
Be prepared for complaints	10	(1)
You are not going to get rich	10	(1)
Home is where the laundry is	10	(3)
Getting the Job	13	(14)
Assessing yourself	13	(4)
Characteristics of success	13	(1)
Sticking to your goals	14	(3)
Do your homework	17	(1)
Formal education	17	(1)
The importance of language	18	(3)
Learning a language	19	(2)
Body language	21	(1)
Your resume	21	(2)
A starting point	23	(1)
How much will I make?	23	(1)
Pay rates	23	(1)
Contracts	24	(1)
Occupational standards	24	(3)
Canada	24	(1)
United States	25	(1)
Europe	25	(2)
Meet the Players	27	(8)
The travel suppliers	27	(5)
Airlines	28	(1)
Consolidators and wholesalers	29	(1)
Tour operators	29	(2)
Hotels and car rental agencies	31	(1)
Insurance	31	(1)
Cruises	31	(1)
Agency specialties	32	(1)
Travel regulators - IATA, BSP, IATAN, and ARC	32	(3)
What does it Take to Become the Perfect Tour Director?	35	(16)
General duties	36	(4)
Present a professional image at all times	36	(2)
Encourage people to experience the uniqueness of a destination	38	(1)
Be environmentally aware	38	(1)
Hurry up latecomers	39	(1)
Keep written, daily reports	39	(1)
Have map, will travel	39	(1)
Welcome to today's destination--providing commentary	40	(4)
The area's natural environment	42	(1)
Sociology	43	(1)
The area's history and current statistics	43	(1)
Transportation	43	(1)
Taxes	43	(1)
It's all a matter of communication	44	(2)
Keeping their attention	44	(1)
Can everyone hear me?	45	(1)
The strange case of the missing voice	46	(1)
Keep people informed about all activities	46	(2)
Confirm and reconfirm all reservations	48	(1)
Be prepared	48	(3)
You're on Your Way	51	(22)
At the airport (or other terminals)	51	(6)
Confirm your group's reservation	51	(2)
Departure day	53	(1)
Checking in	54	(1)
Boarding	54	(1)
During the flight	55	(1)
On arrival at the destination terminal	55	(2)
Hotels	57	(4)
On arrival	57	(3)
Moving on, checking out	60	(1)
Luggage	61	(4)
Precautions	61	(2)
Keeping track while on tour	63	(2)
A lifesaver tracking tip	65	(1)
Lost luggage	65	(1)
Dining	65	(3)
Seating	66	(1)
Considerations for group dining	66	(1)
Menus	67	(1)
Take regular breaks	67	(1)
The ``best'' place to eat may not be	67	(1)
Border crossings and other wild animals	68	(2)
Passports and travel documentation	68	(1)
Restricted items	69	(1)
Register valuables	69	(1)
Duty free	69	(1)
Keep all receipts	69	(1)
Carry only what is yours	70	(1)
Selling optional excursions	70	(1)
It's party time	71	(2)
Hello, my name is...	71	(1)
Good-bye; I'll write soon	72	(1)
Over Land and Sea	73	(12)
Cruising	73	(5)
All aboard	73	(1)
Getting to know your floating hotel	74	(1)
The send-off party	74	(1)
Shore excursions	74	(2)
Making it unique	76	(1)
You are still in charge	77	(1)
Motorcoaches--on the buses	78	(5)
Seat rotation	78	(3)
Safety	81	(1)
Let the games begin	81	(1)
Your driver and you	82	(1)
Washroom and pit stops	83	(1)
Adventure/eco-touring	83	(2)
Problems Come In All Sizes	85	(14)
Lost or stolen property	85	(4)
Credit cards	89	(1)
Passport	89	(1)
Driver's license	89	(1)
Traveler's checks	89	(1)
Health issues	89	(6)
Look after your own health	89	(1)
Carry first-aid basics	90	(1)
Illness or injury	90	(5)
Death	95	(1)
Dismissing someone from the tour	95	(1)
Bumping	96	(1)
Missing member	97	(2)
See You Again Soon--Following Up	99	(6)
Short-term follow-up	100	(4)
Long-term follow-up	104	(1)
Organizing Your Own Tour	105	(14)
The big step--branching out on your own	106	(1)
The theme--why your tour will be different	106	(2)
We're here! Now what?	108	(1)
Timing	109	(1)
Sheltering your guests	110	(1)
Nourishing your guests	111	(2)
Restaurants	112	(1)
What about alcohol?	113	(1)
Food on adventure/wilderness tours	113	(1)
Miscellaneous concerns	113	(2)
Medical	114	(1)
Security	114	(1)
Insurance	115	(1)
Costing out your trip	115	(4)
Getting there	115	(1)
Food	116	(1)
Accommodations	116	(1)
Attractions	116	(3)
Running Your Own Tours	119	(14)
Working as an outside agent	119	(5)
Choosing a travel agency to work with	121	(3)
How to find an agency to work with	124	(1)
Compensation--trips and cash	124	(3)
Free trips and tour director seats	125	(1)
Getting paid cash	125	(1)
Other ways to get paid	126	(1)
Getting more commission	126	(1)
Arranging the tour yourself	127	(3)
Pricing your tour	130	(3)
Marketing Your Tours	133	(10)
Marketing is not just advertising	133	(1)
Your brochure	134	(2)
Legal fine print	135	(1)
Photos	135	(1)
Printing	135	(1)
Keep words to a minimum	135	(1)
Use your personal contacts	136	(1)
The ultimate marketing tool--word of mouth	137	(1)
Know your competition	137	(1)
Free publicity	137	(2)
Conducting informational seminars	139	(2)
Selling through travel agents	141	(1)
Direct mail	142	(1)
Advertising as a small tour operator	142	(1)
Using the Internet	143	(6)
Research	143	(1)
Booking airline seats, cars, and hotels	144	(1)
E-mail	144	(1)
Marketing using the World Wide Web	145	(1)
Your brochure	146	(1)
Spam	146	(1)
Collecting money over the Internet	147	(1)
Keeping in touch	147	(2)
Building a Tour Company	149	(14)
Am I ready to get bigger?	149	(1)
Day-to-day life of a tour operator	150	(1)
Rewards	151	(1)
Statistics about travel businesses	152	(1)
What are your goals?	153	(3)
Cheap travel	154	(1)
Owning your own business or changing careers	154	(1)
Travel professionals looking for a new career	154	(1)
Tax savings	155	(1)
Making money	155	(1)
Nothing else will do	155	(1)
Assessing yourself	156	(2)
Your personal qualities	156	(1)
Your experience and education	156	(2)
Prescriptions for success	158	(3)
Explore the industry	158	(1)
Develop your skills	158	(1)
Planning	159	(1)
Take on a knowledgeable partner	160	(1)
Educate yourself	160	(1)
Learn how to market your business	160	(1)
Prepare for failure, then concentrate on success	161	(1)
Put all your major assets in someone else's name	161	(1)
Incorporate your company	162	(1)
Sign everything in the company's name	162	(1)
Set limits on the risk you will take	162	(1)
Do your homework	162	(1)
Making Your Business Legal	163	(12)
Set up your business legally	164	(3)
Sole proprietorship	164	(1)
Partnership	165	(1)
Limited partnership	166	(1)
The corporation or limited company	166	(1)
Subchapter ``S''	167	(1)
Other registrations	167	(2)
Workers' compensation	167	(1)
Register with the government for your employees	168	(1)
Goods and services tax (Canada)	168	(1)
Remitting provincial and state sales tax	168	(1)
Municipal license	168	(1)
Better Business Bureau	169	(1)
Regulations concerning travel businesses	169	(1)
Short cuts and regulations	170	(1)
IATA, BSP, IATAN, and ARC	170	(3)
International Air Transport Association (Canada and elsewhere)	171	(1)
The Bank Settlement Plan (Canada)	172	(1)
International Airlines Travel Agent Network (United States)	172	(1)
Airlines Reporting Corporation (United States)	173	(1)
Is an appointment for you?	173	(1)
Airline plates and appointments	174	(1)
What Will My Business Look Like?	175	(6)
Selling retail products	176	(1)
Selling complementary tours	176	(1)
How to choose your products	177	(1)
How to select suppliers	178	(3)
Location	181	(8)
Types of locations	181	(2)
Enclosed malls (retail only)	181	(1)
Retail street level and small strip malls	182	(1)
Downtown versus suburban	183	(1)
Office buildings	183	(1)
Points to consider	183	(2)
Will you get enough walk-in traffic?	185	(1)
Negotiating the lease	186	(3)
Equipping Your Office	189	(8)
Telephone systems	191	(2)
Expanding your telephone service	192	(1)
Reducing line charges	192	(1)
Answering machine or service	193	(1)
Computer	193	(1)
Fax machine	194	(1)
Photocopier	194	(1)
Decorations	195	(1)
Computerized reservation systems	195	(2)
Financing Your Tour Operation	197	(12)
Source of funds and free financing	197	(3)
Banks	197	(1)
Government guaranteed loans	198	(1)
Venture capital	198	(1)
Family and friends	198	(1)
Personal lines of credit, personal loans, and credit cards	199	(1)
Other private investors	199	(1)
How much money will you need?	200	(6)
Your market	204	(1)
Geographic area	204	(1)
Size of your telephone system	204	(1)
Equipment	204	(1)
Expenses associated with your location	205	(1)
Working capital	205	(1)
Other licensing fees	206	(1)
Adding up the cost of your business	206	(1)
Recommendations	206	(3)
Forget the frills	206	(2)
Trade time for money	208	(1)
Do not go into debt for the long term	208	(1)
Hire people who care	208	(1)
Read carefully	208	(1)
Think small	208	(1)
Revenues and Expenses	209	(6)
Commissions	209	(3)
Ask for a higher commission	209	(1)
Override commissions	210	(1)
Use wholesalers and consolidators	211	(1)
Join a consortium	211	(1)
Join forces with another agency	212	(1)
Expenses	212	(3)
Personnel	215	(10)
Inside agents	215	(1)
Managers	216	(1)
How many people do you need?	216	(1)
Experience and qualifications of staff	217	(1)
Where to find employees	218	(1)
The interview	219	(1)
Salaries	220	(5)
The commission component	221	(1)
Benefit packages	222	(1)
Reduced rate travel	222	(1)
Vacation time	222	(1)
Free labor	223	(1)
Staff morale	223	(1)
Termination	224	(1)
Marketing a Large Tour Operation	225	(6)
Choose a descriptive name	225	(1)
Marketing through travel agents revisited	226	(2)
Travel shows	228	(1)
Walk-in traffic--How much do you really want?	228	(1)
Attracting walk-in traffic	229	(1)
The brochure rack	230	(1)
Advertising	231	(14)
Radio and TV	232	(1)
Print advertising	232	(2)
Newspapers	233	(1)
Magazines	234	(1)
Creating effective print advertising	234	(6)
Pick the product to advertise	234	(1)
Create your ad	235	(1)
Choose the right vehicle	235	(1)
Evaluate the response	236	(1)
Helpful hints for print advertising	237	(3)
Co-op advertising	240	(1)
Piggyback on someone else's marketing	240	(1)
Direct mail	241	(1)
Advertising hotlines	241	(1)
Advertising on the World Wide Web	242	(1)
Newletters and other periodic mailings	242	(1)
Promotions--premium giveaways and contests	243	(1)
Promotions--charitable donations	243	(1)
Directories	243	(1)
Discount coupons	243	(2)
An Ending and a Beginning	245
APPENDIXES
1 Useful organizations and associations	247
2 A preliminary list of tour operators	255
3 Useful magazines and publications	261