Reasons to Get a Tour Guide
by Matt John on 18/03/09 at 7:01 am
You have Googled it, gotten hold of all the brochures and guidebooks, and interrogated everyone who’s been to your next travel destination. So how can a tour guide help?
No worries about getting lost
Your guide knows the local district like the back of his hand. Plus, he will probably provided transportation, making for a more convenient and comfortable trip.
What is worth seeing – or giving a miss?
If pressed for time, your guide should be able to give you a priority list on places to visit. They also hope you will recommend them to your friends for future trips, so they will try their best to show you a good time.
You will be well – treated at restaurants, markets and other tourist spots.
Guides with good rapport with people in the industry usually strike up and agreement with business owners to give special discounts in exchange for a steady stream of business.
You will have better bargaining power.
There are usually two prices at markets or bazaar: A low price for the locals and a much higher one for tourists. A good tour guide must be able negotiate so that you pay closer to the local price.
You will understand local customs better.
You do not have to worry about offending the locals by first asking your guide on what is appropriate or not.
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11 Comments
Darla Smith
Mar 18th, 2009
Great article!
papaleng
Mar 18th, 2009
nice article and good advice.
lindalulu
Mar 18th, 2009
Great advice and the times I have used tour guides I must say I had a wonderful time!
George W Whitehead
Mar 18th, 2009
Great article, Matt. I don’t want to shoot you down in flames but here is a true and very recent story. My sister in law went on a coach tour of Yorkshire in north England only last week. Her coach driver/courier was a Pole who couldn’t speak English.
Ah well, c’est l’European Union.
Liane Schmidt
Mar 18th, 2009
These are really great reasons – thank you!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
revivor
Mar 18th, 2009
George – he wasn’t a tour guide, he was a bus driver!!
We need tour guides like those described in this great article
Inna Tysoe
Mar 18th, 2009
Yes, they are great resources.
Inna
rutherfranc
Mar 19th, 2009
you also help somebody earn a living!
CutestPrincess
Mar 19th, 2009
thanks for the helpful advice…
nesita
Mar 20th, 2009
i was a tour guide and what you said is absolutely true.
chris73
May 8th, 2009
Ok, nice all these but why not to be sometimes more adventurous? With a guide and the way you describe you will be just another tourist. You will go to some standard places eat standard food etc etc. You will never get close to the real place or country you visit and what you will gain is some common stories and pictures to share with your friends and there the journy ends. Many times i tried something different. I read a little about the place (A LITTLE) because if you read a lot confusion occurs. Then i let my self to wander around, if possible with my little car in a foreign country. I assure you what i felt, learned and saw there hardly you can find it at even the best guide. Don;t be afraid to explore a little further. Open your mind, your eyes, your soul and don;t expect nothing. Just let your senses drive you. Yes i find so borring all that guides and “political correct” way of vilisting a place. Be a traveler and not a tourist.
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