College: Vocational School

This specialty provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of tour guiding, focusing on the skills and knowledge required to lead and educate tourists in various cultural and natural environments. Students will explore key topics such as tour planning, cultural heritage, customer service, and sustainable tourism. The program emphasizes integrating theoretical knowledge and practical skills to prepare students for careers in tourism, travel agencies, and related fields.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the fundamental principles of tour guiding and its role in enhancing tourist experiences.
Develop skills in planning and conducting tours.
Learn effective communication and customer service techniques.
Explore principles of cultural heritage and its importance in tourism.
Understand the impact of sustainable tourism practices.
Analyze challenges and opportunities in tour guiding professions.
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address challenges in tour guiding.

Main Outline:

Introduction to Tour Guiding - Overview of tour guiding, its history, and its significance in the tourism industry.
Tour Planning and Management - Basics of tour planning, including itinerary development and logistics. - Techniques for managing and executing tours effectively.
Cultural Heritage and Interpretation - Principles of cultural heritage, including historical sites and cultural practices. - Techniques for interpreting and presenting cultural heritage to tourists.
Customer Service and Communication - Fundamentals of customer service, including communication skills and conflict resolution. - Techniques to ensure a positive tourist experience.
Sustainable Tourism Practices - Overview of sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism and responsible travel. - Techniques for promoting and implementing sustainable tourism practices.
Ethics and Professional Practices in Tour Guiding - Overview of ethical and professional considerations in tour guiding. - Techniques for ensuring ethical and professional conduct in tourism.
Specialized Topics in Tour Guiding - Principles of specialized topics, including adventure tourism, culinary tourism, and cultural tourism. - Techniques for conducting in-depth research on specialized topics.
Emerging Trends in Tour Guiding - Impact of emerging trends, such as digital tourism and virtual tours, on tour guiding. - Techniques for integrating new trends into tourism practices.

Assessment Methods:

Tour planning and management projects to assess practical skills.
Written assignments and research papers to assess knowledge of cultural heritage and sustainable tourism.
Presentations and reports on customer service and communication.
Participation in group projects and tourism simulations.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of tourism and cultural studies is recommended. This program is suitable for students in tourism, hospitality, and related fields.

Program Duration:

This specialty typically lasts four academic years, combining lectures, practical sessions, and field experiences.

Certification:

Upon successful completion, students may receive a degree in tour guiding, depending on the program and institution.

Target Audience:

This program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students in tourism, hospitality, and related fields, as well as professionals seeking to enhance their tour guiding skills. It prepares students and professionals to excel in the tour guiding field, leveraging theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and an understanding of emerging trends to provide rich and sustainable tourist experiences.