Training for regional tourist guides Koroške

Programme

1. Tourist tour management

Types and methods of leadership (3h)

Participants become familiar with various forms of tourist guide work, learn about the essential characteristics and requirements of tourist groups and, using presented examples, identify the diversity of tourist programs.

Leadership technique (4h)

In this course, we present the basic elements of a guide's work in the field, namely guiding on a bus, guiding on foot through the city, and guiding various interesting objects. We present quality preparation for the trip, the essential elements for successful group leadership, and the entire process of leading a group according to the presented program.

Procedure in problematic situations (2h)

We alert participants to the most common problematic situations in leadership and present ways to avoid or solve them. The course takes place in the form of a workshop, simulating imaginary situations.

2. Complementary types of leadership

Psychology for tourist guides (2h)

We emphasize the importance of good psychophysical preparation of the guide and, in the form of a workshop, we identify the most important qualities of a good guide. We also present the characteristics of some mutual connections, e.g. guide and group, relationships within the group, etc.

Public speaking (2h)

We remind participants of the necessity of using correct Slovenian language, while also providing a high-quality presentation of the local dialect. We introduce them to basic speech elements and body language characteristics. We also introduce the use of a foreign language in leadership and the most common speech errors.

Etiquette and code of conduct for guides (1h)

An appropriate and polite approach to guests is one of the most important characteristics of a good tourist guide. In this course, we present the basic elements of "guide" etiquette and the Code of Conduct for Tourist Guides, which was published years ago by the Slovenian Tourist Guides Association and is given to each participant during the training.

Basics of business in tourism (1h)

Participants are introduced to the process of preparing a tourist trip or trip, which helps to better carry out the guiding. We also review the most important documentation that guides use in their work, e.g. vouchers, financial statements, etc.

Tourism legislation (1h)

Let us present the most important laws that also apply to tourism workers and that every good tourist guide must comply with, such as the Act on the Promotion of Tourism Development, the Consumer Protection Act, the Obligations Act (chapter on tourism).

Performance exercises (3h)

The course is partly related to the course Public Speaking. Participants of the training in the form of a workshop present a draft of a seminar paper and at the same time, in the lecture hall, practice a simulated performance in front of a tourist group. We draw their attention to the important elements of such a performance and try to correct the most common mistakes.

3. Professional subjects - getting to know the region

Art history, history, geography, ethnology (total) (16h)

The professional subjects are presented by the lecturer together with the participants in the form of group workshops. The listed topics are adapted to local specificities and certain topics that are characteristic and more strongly expressed in the region are presented in more detail.

Orientation about the tourist image of the region (3h)

In the group workshop, we focus on the tourist, technical and organizational specifics that the guide must know for a smooth guide (e.g. roads and paths, access points, restaurants, etc.). We connect them in the form of an itinerary - the most suitable and content-rich guide route, which we later include in a practical guide simulation. We also record the most important attractions and tourist-interesting activities of the region, e.g. festivals, fairs, various events, etc.

Interpretation of cultural and natural heritage - storytelling (1h)

A good tourist guide must be familiar with various cultural and natural heritage sites, which serve as a starting point for the creation and telling of stories. Storytelling is an important, dynamic way of communicating between the guide and visitors, which brings to life images of nature and past and present ways of life. Listeners thus acquire and develop enriched ideas about the natural and cultural heritage of a particular place, and the guide in this way transmits and preserves certain knowledge, values, identity and wisdom of the local environment.

TEST (1 hour)

In the last hour, participants write a test consisting of three questions.

Sightseeing, practical guidance and knowledge test

Sightseeing and presentation of certain tourism service providers

On a full-day trip around the region, we will visit and present some of the tourist attractions that, with their cultural, social or ethnological purpose, also give great importance to the tourist aspect of the region. Some tourism service providers will present their activities, production process and final products.

Managing a selected part of the region – tourist group simulation

Approximately a week or two after completing the theoretical part of the training, participants complete a practical field guiding simulation. Following a provided route description, participants present the most important tourist attractions of the region to the rest of the group. This guiding simulation serves as a field exercise and at the same time as a practical test of the participants' knowledge. It usually lasts a whole day.