Tourism Guides

The training program based on the European Norm EN 15565:2008

Tourism services – Requirements for the provision of

professional tourist guide training and qualification programmes

Introduction

Tourist guides are representatives of the cities, regions and countries for which they are qualified. It depends largely on them if visitors feel welcome, want to stay longer or decide to come back. They therefore contribute considerably to the perception of the destination. Tourist guides are able to help travellers understand the culture of the region visited and the way of life of its inhabitants. They have a particular role on the one hand to promote the cultural and natural heritage whilst on the other hand to help ensure its sustainability by making visitors aware of its importance and vulnerability.

This European Standard supports European Union efforts to facilitate free movement of provision of services within its member states but also emphasises the importance of area-specific tourist guides to high quality

provision of tourism services. This will be achieved by a common high standard of qualification for tourist guides in all European countries.

This European Standard gives freedom to countries, regions and cities to decide the level, extent and main areas of their training programmes, providing these programmes meet these minimum standards and

requirements for tourist guide training which is a prerequisite for a quality tourist guide service in all member countries.

4 Competencies

The training programme shall be designed to enable tourist guides within their area of qualification to:

 represent the area (site, city, region and/or country);

 guide groups or individual visitors (including those with special needs) around natural and man-

made attractions of an area;

 research and develop information in order to provide accurate and relevant commentaries;

 interpret for visitors the cultural and natural heritage as well as the environment;

 help visitors to experience and understand what they are viewing and/or visiting;

 inform visitors on all the relevant aspects of life in the area;

 create and/or develop guided tours in their area;

 use the appropriate language.

The training programme shall be designed to enable tourist guides to:

 assess their audience;

 adjust to their respective interests and requirements by selecting relevant information;

 present the appropriate information in a comprehensive and communicative way.

The training programme shall be designed to enable tourist guides to be knowledgeable about:

 tourism industry and the profile of visitors in their area;

 relevant rules and regulations, including health and safety;

 taxation and insurance requirements;

 marketing and running a tourist guide business.

5 Framework of training programmes

5.1 General

The training programme shall comprise the following elements:

 common subjects in accordance with Clause 6;

 area-specific subjects in accordance with Clause 7;

 practical training in accordance with Clause 8.

5.2 Timeframe

The training programme shall comprise a minimum of 600 training units (TU). A training unit is equivalent to 60 min. Training units may include:

 lectures, tutorials;

 e-learning;

 practical training;

 private study and assignments.

NOTE This European Standard recognises that in some situations the timeframe specified in this Clause will need to be expanded taking into account historic, cultural, geographic and other considerations. In any case the minimum duration

of practical training should amount to 40 % of the total duration of the training programme.

The training programme on common subjects in accordance with Clause 6 shall comprise a minimum of180 TU. The minimum duration of the individual categories shall be as follows:

 theoretical knowledge in accordance with subclause 6.1: 54 TU;

 guiding techniques and skills in accordance with subclause 6.2: 108 TU;

 business knowledge and skills in accordance with subclause 6.3: 18 TU.

The training programme on area-specific subjects in accordance with clause 7 shall comprise a total minimum of 180 TU. The minimum duration of the individual categories shall be as follows:

 theoretical knowledge in accordance with subclause 7.1: 162 TU;

 working conditions in accordance with subclause 7.2: 18 TU.

The training programme on practical training in accordance with Clause 8 shall comprise a minimum of 240 TU.

Within the timeframe above the training programme shall specify the relevant duration of each of the following categories:

 lectures, tutorials;

 e-learning;

 practical training;

 time dedicated to be spent by trainees for private study and assignments.

In the case of assignments and private study, the training programme shall specify the kind of activities to be performed.

5.3 Methodology

The training programme shall be designed such that the knowledge and skills as specified in Clauses 6 and 7 are delivered both theoretically and practically.

6 Common subjects

6.1 Theoretical knowledge

The training programme shall comprise an introduction to the following theoretical subjects, set in a European background and wider intercultural knowledge:

 world history and culture;

 legal and political system of the European Union;

 religions and philosophical movements;

EXAMPLE enlightenment, liberalism, humanism.

 history of art and architecture;

 arts (performing and visual) and literature;

 world geography and geology;

 professional ethics.

6.2 Guiding techniques and skills

6.2.1 General

The training programme shall be designed such that trainees:

 are trained in the techniques in accordance with 6.2.2, 6.2.3 and 6.2.4 and

 demonstrate practically the techniques in accordance with 6.2.2, 6.2.3 and 6.2.4 to a group on a coach or

another moving vehicle, on site and on walking tours.

6.2.2 Presentation techniques

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 voice projection, diction, microphone use, breathing techniques;

 eye contact, stance, body language, posture;

 personal appearance and behaviour;

 style and vocabulary.

6.2.3 Communications techniques

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 adaptation to audience requirements and environmental conditions;

EXAMPLE 1 commentary and material.

 interpersonal skills;

 selection, structuring and linking of information;

 handling and use of questions;

 stress management;

 time management;

EXAMPLE 2 deliver a commentary concisely within the time allowed.

 clear explanation and description of top visual priorities.

6.2.4 Group management

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 positioning of guide and group;

 neutral approach and politeness;

 group dynamics;

 risk assessment;

 crisis and conflict management.

6.2.5 Guiding for persons with special needs

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 awareness of potential special needs of tourists (e.g. accessibility and design for all);

 adaptation of guided tours which allow access for those disabled or aged;

 adaptation of guided tours taking child safety into account.

6.3 Business knowledge and skills

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 fundamentals of economics;

 tourism industry worldwide, its importance and development;

 tourist guide profession; the position of the profession in the tourism industry;

 sustainable tourism;

 commercial aspects of the tourist guide profession;

EXAMPLE 1 accounting, marketing, and administration.

 legal aspects of the tourist guide profession;

EXAMPLE 2 intellectual property rights, e-commerce and data protection.

 research, planning, developing and updating guided tours;

 health and safety regulations, management of emergency situations;

 debriefing and quality control.

EXAMPLE 3 documentation, evaluation, monitoring, customer retention, customer satisfaction.

7 Area-specific subjects

7.1 Theoretical knowledge

7.1.1 General

The training programme shall be designed to enable the trainee to interpret the heritage of an area and its

sustainability. It shall comprise the elements in accordance with 7.1.2 to 7.1.6.

7.1.2 Human history

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 political, social and economic history;

 archaeology;

 history of art;

 architecture.

7.1.3 Environment

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 geography and geology;

 natural heritage;

EXAMPLE ecosystems and protected areas.

 flora and fauna;

 ecology;

 environmental impacts of industry and agriculture;

 weather and climate.

7.1.4 Culture

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 arts (performing and visual);

 literature and linguistics;

 customs, folklore, traditions and mythology;

 famous historical figures.

EXAMPLE scientists, local heroes.

7.1.5 Economics

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 agriculture;

 manufacturing;

 services.

7.1.6 Contemporary life

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 legal and political system;

 social demographics;

 education system;

 social care and health system;

 science;

 intercultural issues;

 leisure, recreation, entertainment and sports;

 food and drinks;

 celebrities.

7.2 Working conditions

The training programme shall comprise the following:

 working conditions related to the tourist guide profession;

NOTE Attention is drawn to civil, trade, labour and tax law and social security.

 statutory and private professional organisations related to the tourist guide profession;

 tourism and cultural heritage related legislation.

8 Practical training

The training programme shall comprise demonstration tours and field trips to places and monuments, which

includes all the major heritage sites of the area of qualification.

The field trips shall include coach or other moving vehicle, site and walking tours. The field trips shall cover

the rural and urban environment of the area of qualification and should include related visits e.g.:

 to museums;

 art galleries;

 historical sites;

 archaeological sites;

 places of architectural and cultural importance, including sacred sites;

 natural heritage areas.

The practical training shall require trainees to practise the skills during field trips and apply the knowledge

acquired.

9 Assessment for qualification

9.1 Independent assessment shall be by the following means:

 written and oral examinations;

 practical demonstration on-site, on foot and on a coach or other moving vehicle during at least one

guided tour;

 a balanced range of appropriately qualified examiners.

9.2 Through assessment of language skills trainees shall demonstrate that they are able to:

 communicate fluently in the language of the visitor’s choice;

 create mutual understanding by using appropriate terminology.

Assessment of non-mother tongue language skills to be used in guiding visitors shall be in accordance with Annex A.

9.3 Through assessment of language skills trainees shall demonstrate that they are able to communicate

effectively (e.g. in emergencies) in the language of the area of qualification.

Assessment of non-mother tongue language skills to communicate in the area of qualification shall be in accordance with Annex B.

9.4 Evidence of competence shall be provided in respect of the following:

 first aid training.

(source. EN 15565:2008)