Wanaka, Otago50 tourists guides near you

Know that in order to work as a tour guide, no specific diploma is required by the state; however, it is necessary to acquire many skills in order to do the job properly. However, it is worth noting that multiple training programs are available on the market, allowing for a diverse program of study to become a tour guide. Thus, one can orient themselves towards undergraduate or graduate programs in the fields of history, art history and archaeology, as well as cultural mediation, communication, foreign languages, etc. Furthermore, after obtaining a high school diploma, it is also possible to pursue a 2-year training program with a BTS in Tourism. This specific BTS allows for the learning of all the skills and knowledge related to jobs and activities in tourism (such as foreign languages, tourism and territories, customer relationship management in tourism, the development and monitoring of tourist packages, etc.). Once this BTS is attained, the student can search for work in the sector (in principle there are interesting job prospects...), continue their studies in the aforementioned fields or remain within the same sector by preparing a Professional License in Tourism and Leisure or a Bachelor's in Marketing and Tourism. In order to be able to offer guided visits of historic monuments and museums in France, the professional must have a professional guide-lecturer card. This card is issued by the Prefecture, and to obtain it, the person must hold a Professional License in Guide-Lecturing, a diploma awarding a master's degree (with three specific teaching units validated or with one year of professional experience in oral mediation of heritage). Here are the conditions for obtaining the professional card: - for holders of the Professional License in Guide-Lecturing, - for holders of a national master's degree who have validated the three complementary teaching units provided for in the aforementioned decree during their training or afterwards, - for holders of a diploma conferring a master's degree who can prove at least one year of professional experience in oral mediation of heritage accumulated in the last five years. Note: - The BTS in Tourism lasts 2 years, and can be completed in a structured program or in an apprenticeship format. It can also be financed by the CPF, up to approximately 3900 Euros. - The professional certificate - Tourist Accompaniment Guide takes 6 months to complete (4 months of training and 2 months of internship), and is followed in a structured program to quickly and properly enter the field.

The tour guide provides guided tours (which can be on-site lectures, educational activities, guided tours, etc.) in French or a foreign language (hence the importance of being proficient in foreign languages...), in an open or closed area. The tour guide, in a way, is a cultural mediator who conducts tours and lectures in heritage sites and territories, with the goal of promoting and valuing the heritage. The tour guide creates and orally presents a narrative that weaves knowledge together for audiences in heritage sites and territories. They prepare and try to follow the tour program, and may offer brochures, booklets, and other materials... This is a profession that requires vast knowledge of the territory (whether it's political, social, cultural, artistic, or touristic history), as well as specific knowledge such as mastery of communication techniques, because, while it is essential to "know," it is equally important to "transmit correctly"... With all this said, it is evident that the tour guide must have exemplary interpersonal skills and a strong sense of pedagogy. With high availability and good adaptability to visitor expectations, the tour guide supervises organized visits for groups, permanent and temporary exhibitions, discovery tours, themed or unusual tours, guided tours of the city (not just Paris, Rome, or Florence...),offers practical information, and proposes future cultural events. Guided tours play a vital role in heritage animation/interpretation, which ensures that culture does not die out but is passed on - whether we are talking about medieval cities, Renaissance buildings, Notre-Dame Cathedral, historical centers, national monuments, churches, basilicas, abbeys, street art, typical alleys, the Louvre, historical or architectural treasures, mansions, Montmartre, cemeteries such as the Père-Lachaise, among others... From a legal standpoint, in France, the tour guide profession is regulated by Article L. 221-1 of the Tourism Code, which states that for guided tours in museums and historical monuments as part of a trip or travel package sold by a tour operator, qualified individuals with a professional tour guide card must be used. It should be noted that the issuance of this professional card is subject to conditions set by Articles R. 221-1 and following of the Tourism Code. In France, a significant effort has been made by tourist sites to comply with standards and accommodate people with reduced mobility or disabilities, although 100% of locations may not be adequately equipped, so it is best to inquire beforehand if this applies to you. Finally, it should be noted that some sites have opted not for a live guided tour, but an audio guide, which is an audio system that allows visitors to follow a guided tour based on their location by wearing headphones.

There are many good reasons to opt for a guided tour and we will try to list the 7 main ones, which we believe are the most fundamental: - Authenticity: who better than a local person, immersed in the area, to give you the best addresses and anecdotes? A local guide lives or regularly visits the place where they work, they are deeply steeped in it… Therefore, they can be considered a gateway to discovering local culture and population. This type of guide can easily tell you the best places to visit, eat, go out, etc. - Quality: by taking a guided tour, you will receive both complete and accurate information. Qualified guides come from an official school, have followed a specific curriculum, and have a permit recognized by local authorities. They have been trained in various disciplines concerning all aspects of local culture, and respect criteria regarding the quality of the guiding and the truthfulness of the information provided. - Accessibility: a guide knows how important it is to understand and be understood. That's why official tourist guides have certifications and licenses for the languages in which they guide, which avoids the risk of misunderstandings. They also have the habit of communicating by adapting to all types of visitors (some are even trained at European level to guide people with physical or learning difficulties). - Adaptability: if we agree that being a tourist guide is above all about having multiple areas of interest and being able to offer a program adapted to the specificities of each person (physical condition, time, interests), then a guided tour can be oriented according to these axes. It is also possible to make "off the beaten track" visits (during hikes, in abandoned sites, in certain archaeological sites far from the crowds and noise...). - Safety: in case of problems, a guide must be able to speak fluently to the authorities if necessary, know what to do, and what rules to follow. If you use a professional, you take no risks. All the places where they take you or recommend to you have been previously validated by them and you will be safe. - Sharing: a guided tour is a dialogue. Not only do you learn during your excursion, but you shouldn't hesitate to ask the guide questions. They too can learn things from you, talk more about the lives of the locals, draw parallels or contrasts with your home country or other places you have visited... Finally, it should also be noted that some sites are only accessible by reservation, so you should book a guided tour in advance; don't wait until the last minute to do so, as this could be detrimental.

Don't worry, no matter where you live, finding a tourist guide shouldn't be too difficult thanks to the increasing number of guides throughout the country, in all regions. This has become an important commercial argument for many historical and tourist sites, so the activity is well represented in France. Whether you live in Wanaka or a less densely populated rural area, you have a good chance of finding what you're looking for just a few kilometers from home. To start, we recommend asking your acquaintances, family and friends, as well as your colleagues at work. It's often within this first circle that you can get good tips and addresses, so don't pass up the opportunity! We also recommend calling or visiting the tourist office in your city because they are well informed on this sort of thing. Your local town hall could also provide great recommendations so don't hesitate to ask there too! If word of mouth doesn't give you any leads, we suggest turning to the internet and checking out sites such as StarOfService, which lists all the professionals in a given field based on where you're searching (this is also the case for tourist guides). With just a few clicks, the site will provide you with the contact details for all the guided tours in the region, and you can even contact the structure of your choice immediately.

To start, we want to emphasize that your geographic location can have a relatively significant impact on the prices you will find. This is the case for almost any business, and it also applies to services like guided tours. It is important to understand that the rates in the capital or in large cities like Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, etc. are inevitably higher than in medium-sized towns or remote villages, and this also applies to the attractiveness of the sites... In short, it is obvious that a tourist guide or guided tour dedicated to the visit of the Palace of Versailles will cost more than a tourist guide or a guided tour of the Chapel of Saint Philomena in Chatte or the Abbey of Saint Antoine... It is impossible to give a precise price range because the differences are too great between the sites and the cheapest and most expensive guides. However, as we have committed to giving you a precise idea based on a solid foundation, we have calculated a national average based on more than 200 professionals, and it turns out that the average hourly rate is 30-32 Euros. It is important to know that tourist guides are often paid by the day, and in this case, the national average is between 160 Euros and 200 Euros gross per day for a basic guide... If it is an interpreter guide, then the rates are slightly higher and can be justified by the language proficiency. We can reach figures in the range of 270 Euros to 300 Euros per day.

As we mentioned earlier, using word of mouth can be useful for finding a simple guided tour, and it's even more valuable when it comes to finding a reputable guided tour whose quality is recognized and praised by past clients. That's why we suggest, once again, that you start by asking your friends, family, and acquaintances, as they may know of a provider who offers excellent services nearby. We also invite you to contact the town hall and the tourism office, as they likely have a well-established network of professionals. Whether it's a museum dedicated to the Great War, tickets for a small tourist train, a guided tour of the old town or city, or entry to a Gothic art exhibition, don't miss out on these cultural gems within reach. If that doesn't work out, don't worry, all is not lost! Use the internet to search various professional reference sites such as StarOfService. Here you'll find lists of professional tour guides who operate in your region, as well as reviews and comments from clients who have used their services, providing valuable information. We highly recommend taking the time to read these reviews carefully, as they can be very useful in choosing the right company or address. Once you've found the guide or guided tour that suits you, check availability, services, and prices to make sure they match what you have in mind or are willing to pay. One last piece of advice on this subject: whether it's a guided tour of a museum, a private tour, a group tour, a tasting tour, or any other similar service offered at a much lower price than the market, be wary and don't rush into it—it could be a scam.

- How long have you been practicing this activity and offering this service? - Do you have any initial training that led you to practice this profession? - What are your rates? Can you provide a breakdown of them? - Will you offer me a formal quote prior to the visit? - What are your availabilities and can you guarantee that the dates and rates will be respected?