What is a Tour Leader? [vs a Tour Guide]
A tour leader plans and accompanies a group of holidaymakers on a tour, making sure everything runs to plan. He/she oversees the entire trip, from start to finish.
A tour leader is also your driver but according to Greek laws can NOT accompany you inside the archaeological sites but will be with you at all other times and sites. We can always arrange a “licensed” tour guide to escort you inside the sites. We prefer tour leaders to licensed tour guides! Tour leaders have a broader understanding of the entire travel experience and are the reason a private tour will be a successful one or not. Tour guides will provide detailed information about a particular location (archeological site).
☼ Our tour leader’s job is designing tours and booking all aspects, such as accommodation and meals.
☼ Welcoming groups at the agreed starting point.
☼ Pointing out and explaining tourist attractions during the trip.
☼ Answering questions about all aspects of the tours before and during a tour.
☼ Advising about local habits, meeting local people, dress code, etc so that travelers blend in with the local communities.
☼ Making sure travel arrangements and stopovers run smoothly and changing routes or arrangements as necessary.
☼ Handling emergencies, illness, accidents, and any complaints.
Tour leaders work long hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends; they are usually on duty day and night for the tour’s duration, which can be for a few weeks at a time.
They are away from home, for a day, for days, or weeks at a time.
They stay at the same hotel/accommodation that the clients do.
Their work can be seasonal but not necessarily.
For Eudaimonia, skills, and personality are more important than formal qualifications, but a good general education is useful.
Fluency in a foreign language is usually necessary.
They have very good knowledge of and interest in the history, geography, food & drink, local habits of the area they work in.
A driving license and proactive driving are a must!
Our tour leaders are:
☼ Able to communicate with a wide range of people.
☼ Able to deal with problems and emergencies calmly.
☼ Good at solving problems.
☼ Responsible and able to make decisions.
☼ Tolerant and resilient.
Our tour leaders have:
☼ Leadership skills.
☼ A smart appearance.
☼ Awareness of safety issues and first aid.
☼ Excellent organization and time management skills.
☼ Lots of energy and a sense of humor.