The South African Tourism industry needs accredited multi-lingual tourist guides. It was announced at a skills development workshop for the SA Tourism industry held in Joburg last month significant numbers of additional tourist guides would be required by 2010.
This means that opportunities abound for South Africans prepared to meet the strict requirements to enter the tourism industry as tourist guides.
Guiding foreign (and local tourists) has been recognised by the government as a key contributor to job creation and initiatives have been introduced to encourage communities to participate in the tourist guiding sector.
Minimum educational requirements are Grade 12 (matric) with an entry age of 21.
Learnerships are available from training providers who have met Theta's (Tourism, Hospitality, Education and Training Authority) stringent requirements.
In years gone by, almost anyone could call themselves "guides" and take visitors on a "kykdaar" (look there) tour of the country.
This all came to an end in 1976 when a magazine news slot on South Africa's new entertainment and information medium - television - broadcast an exposé of a tour of the "City of Gold".
An enterprising young producer with the SABC's fledgling service captured an absolute travesty of tourist guiding. Outrageously incorrect information and personal bias. It was a case of lies, more lies and videotape.
"Ongelooflik" said someone in government.
"Unbelievable" said another.
The authorities took notice.
Today the tourist guide industry has come of age and is governed by strict admission and accreditation requirements and on-going monitoring. Unregistered tourist guides run the risk of arrest and severe penalties. And that goes for tour operators employing unregistered tourist guides. The penalties include being named and shamed and amount to much more than a mere slap on the wrist.
What does it take to become a successful tourist guide?
If you're tempted to tackle tourist guiding seeking a fast buck, forget it. Want to cream it during 2010? Don't let the idea enter your head. Like most careers, tourist guiding requires dedication, constant study, the ability to think on your feet in an emergency and it would help enormously if you're a "people person" and have fallen in love with airports and coach companies.
You're going to have to live in airports at ungodly hours, you're going to have to meet your driver at the coach depot - usually when the sparrows are twittering - and you'll have to wear a toothpaste smile at all time. In spite of everything, you'll be expected to wear your tourist guide badge with pride. And so you should.
A genuine love for South Africa is a given. You need to be well informed about it. A good tourist guide never stops learning - and that does not only mean keeping up with South Africa's fast-changing political scene but also requires some understanding of the cultures of SA's tourism markets such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, North America, and of course Australasia and China.
If you are fluent in any European language, that is an asset. If you have a mastery of Mandarin and/or Japanese, you could be in great demand. Says Jenny Briscoe, CEO of Gold Class Guides, a tourist guide placement service in Joburg: "As South Africa's tourism markets continue to grow, multilingual tourist guides can expect to fill their diaries far more easily than those who only speak English ."
In cases where a foreign-language guide has not been available, an accredited English-speaking guide has accompanied groups, with the commentary being translated by the group's tour leader.
Interested? Your first step is to approach a Theta-accredited tourist guide training institute. You'll have to attend a course on your home province and be accredited for that province before being accepted for training in other provinces. With enthusiasm and ambition you'll progress towards the enviable accreditation as a National Tourist Guide which means that you can guide in all nine provinces, from Beit Bridge to Cape Point.
But is tourist guiding all about staying in luxury hotels, putting your feet up at snotty game lodges and having your back pocket ready for those fat tips? Of course not.
The career has serious responsibilities. Tourist guides are, in fact, unofficial ambassadors for SA and very often the first person incoming tourists meet. First impressions are vital - and tourist guides play an important role in ensuring that those first impressions are warm and welcoming.
Incoming groups arrive under the influence of their country's media. A tourist guide must allay any fears and provide a balanced view on matters such as personal security for example. Jozi the crime capital of the world? Try Caracas!
For the passionate tourist guide, there's huge satisfaction in "selling" your country to foreign visitors, to present an intelligent and balanced view on the terror and strife of years gone past, the contribution made by people of many nationalities to SA's growth and development, the challenges of the present and the hopes for the future. You need to alter perceptions in an entertaining and informative manner.
At all times, a tourist guide should exude a positive, unbiased and friendly personality.
However, there's more to tourist guiding than being a performer. Caring and being understanding at all times are important attributes. Many tour groups are elderly, with everyone on a holiday of a lifetime. You'll have to parry some questions that provide unintentional humour such as "why do the roads in SA always go up and down?' or 'do zebras have white stripes or black stripes?'. Patience, you'll need it particularly on a long overland tour when you'll be expected to nurse your group into the late hours, and then be first up in the morning to greet everyone at breakfast.
Guiding corporate groups or those with specialised interests requires maturity and an in-depth knowledge of the subject at hand.
Exciting opportunities exist for "site guides" - those accredited tourist guides who have been trained as specialist guides at important historical sites throughout SA. A tour through Soweto becomes memorable when being led by local tourist guide.
In similar fashion, a visit to the apartheid museum in Joburg can only be dramatically presented by a tourist guide who experienced discrimination.
Being trained as a specialist tourist guide provides opportunities for retired geologists, archaeologists, anthropologists, biologists, historians, medical specialists and many academics in a wide variety of disciplines. In addition, many opportunities exists in the field of agritourism as farm stays begin to take off for both locals as well as foreigners.
Then there's adventure tourism, eco and environmental tourism - and what about exciting hikes into the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal or the Cedarberg in the Western Cape to study examples of SA's rich heritage of rock art. A memorable experience is almost guaranteed.
All tourist guides must follow a strict code of conduct and in addition will be expected to have undertaken a basic course in First Aid at a recognised institution. You'll be expected to remain cool, calm and collected in an emergency - and take command, if necessary.
The significant contribution made to the success of the burgeoning South African tourism industry by accredited tourist guides is at last being recognised.
As you read this, nominations are arriving at the Pretoria offices of the department of environmental affairs and Tourism for the 2008 Welcome Awards which recognise service excellence in the tourism industry.
The spotlight will be on tourist guides in a variety of categories who exceed expectations and awards will be presented at Indaba 2008 in May, in Durban.
Keen to master the fundamentals of microphone techniques, sudden changes to the itinerary, dealing with illness while on tour or worse - handling a death on the coach? Yes, there is a serious side to tourist guiding.
- For an accredited training institution go to www.theta.org.za
- Telephone: 011-217-0600 or email: [email protected] for a list.
- More information is available from Gold Class Guides. Email [email protected] or call 082-566-4662.
- Department of environmental affairs and tourism Tourist Guide Registry: Tel: 012-310-3587.