Customer Reviews

Conducting Tours: 3rd Edition

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I recently took a college level course in a hospitality and tourism curriculum and this was the text used for the class. I was skeptical as to what a book could teach you about being an effective tour guide. During the class I had the opportunity to lead a group to London for a 9 day tour. I was amazed at the many tips the book gave that were helpful. He discusses the psychological aspects of "herding instincts" and how people can revert to childish behavior when they submit all decision making for a week or two to a tour guide. It includes tips on how to set up a tour package and how to get the best deals from hotels and airlines. He also discusses the different types of guide jobs including positive and negatives aspects of each. Very Helpful book!

In this handbook you will find nothing about presentation and interpretation skills of contemporary tourist guides. The book is focused on some strictly practical (technical) aspects of the tour guide's job. It can be useful, however, for all novice tour managers - especially for those who enter the profession without previous training and who won't be working as local or on-site guides. This will be a good start for them to learn generally about the tour industry, tourism market, tourism suppliers, types of tours, etc. The book promotes a self-teaching way of acquiring the professional knowledge; each chapter is followed by an 'Activity' page with relevant questions and tasks, so you can check out what you have learned. The only part of the book which might be interesting for more experienced guides is about client and escort psychology, but there are only 12 pages dedicated to that topic. In sum, I expected much more from this book.

This book was truly practical for both the established tourleader or anyone wanting to begin in the industry. There areinvaluable points that help you to establish relationships with your clients and tips to improve your confidence skills. There also also excercise that help you work your way through each chapter. Great, easy reading.

Mancini covers this popular career position thoroughly. Since it has always been a dream of mine to become a tour conductor, I found this book to explain exactly how to become one and how to do the job well.