Title
Tour Guide Training Manual – Solomon Islands
Author(s)
Björn Svensson
Published
2022
Abstract
Tour guides play a crucial role in tourism and are often described as hosts and ambassadors of the destination. Of all the people working in tourism, local guides spend the most time interacting with tourists. This means the visitor’s experiences and impressions are largely shaped by the tour guide. Tourists come to Solomon Islands to experience what is interesting and unique about this country. For some, it may be the underwater world, or the colourful birds. For others, it may be the traditional culture or World War II history. Tourists’ experiences can be enhanced by well-trained tour guides. Since the reason tourists come is for the experiences, tour guides are some of the most important people in the tourism sector. If experiences and activities are not interesting or are delivered unprofessionally, tourists would stop coming. Any destination that strives to have a successful tourism sector should focus on developing unique experiences led by well-trained tour guides. This manual outline basic guiding skills for those starting out as guides, or those who guide tourists as part of their w ork. This may be staff from resorts, or rangers working in conservation areas. It explains the role of the tour guide and the tools and techniques used. It does not include the subject knowledge a guide needs but focuses on how to develop and guide tours. This manual is based on established guide training from other countries and the experiences of professional tour guides, both overseas and in Solomon Islands. Many great guides have not had formal training, they just happened to have the right personality and passion for the job. This manual, and associated training, combines the key components of formal guide training with real-life experiences from the field. The goal is to prepare new guides with skills that are relevant to tour guiding in Solomon Islands. This manual can be used as a separate source of reference for tour guides. During workshops, the manual accompanies a Tour guide trainee workbook. ISBN: 978-0-9903852-7-1
Keywords
tour guide; training; Solomon Islands; ecotourism

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