PRIVATE TOURS ARE ABOUT PEOPLE
THIS IS WHY YOU NEED A GREAT TOUR LEADER
A great tour leader in a private-tour travel agency is basically a mix of expert, host, fixer, and mind-reader 🙂
A tour leader fills the roles of host, educator, entertainer, safety officer, historian, photographer, counselor, navigator, naturalist, customer service representative, parent, friend, and so much more.
Unfortunately, a typical tour leader in Greece is often an ex-taxi driver who plays the role of a “trying-to-behave” driver, a photographer at most, and a smoker—when you are not watching—but you can smell while you travel despite the aromatic chemicals. So, you have a “project in your hands” when choosing a private tour agency, especially if you plan to do a multiday tour or several tours with them! You will be spending significant time with the driver/tour leader; to spend it with the wrong person and the wrong agency!
PS. Read the TripAdvisor reviews, talk to them or us (WhatsApp, Zoom)!
Be prepared!
Us and in our FAQs are very honest and … upfront!
Be prepared for the fact that we, as a private tour agency (and in our FAQs), are very honest and … upfront!
Firstly, let’s clarify that in Greece, only officially licensed tourist guides are legally allowed to guide visitors through archaeological sites. Our tours mostly operate with a driver who is also your tour leader and can not guide/accompany you inside an archaeological site. We prefer this format of touring, but we can also book a local, at each location/site, licensed tour guide for you.
Your driver/tour leader will answer all your questions about each site you visit, whether it is an archaeological site or not. There is also a booklet of information in the vehicle that contains important points about each location you will be visiting. Then, you can self-explore the archeological sites, but you will be accompanied by your tour leader for all the other sites. We prefer this “format” because a) it saves you from the expensive licensed guides, which in Greece are not VFM and can easily cancel on you/us even at the last minute, given the chance of a better … deal with another tour.
Our Tour Leaders
It is about storytelling AND a human approach!
- A well-trained tour leader will do far more than share facts.
- May also require sector-specific knowledge, such as culinary culture and gastronomy for food tours, ecology and wildlife for nature-based tours, or the legends of local hauntings for ghost tours.
- Location knowledge is, of course, essential to guide tours to each specific destination. But we’re talking about deep knowledge!
- How that information is shared makes the difference between a mediocre tour and a memorable experience. This is where most of the actual “licensed guides” fail in Greece!
- Our tour leaders will transform their knowledge into engaging stories that make your guests feel something—stories that make them laugh… or cry. Stories that involve conflict and overcoming. Stories that surprise, entertain, inspire, and delight. Stories with a personal connection.
- Good communication skills, such as body language, appropriate eye contact, and facial expressions, help convey empathy, confidence, and approachability, fostering trust and rapport with travelers.
- Our tour leaders understand first aid and safety protocols, and how to respond to problems and emergencies that may arise.
- It’s about managing diverse groups (families, friends, gay, children, solo women, food preferences, background, personality, etc.)
The Final Impact
Both Your and Our Experience Matters the Most
- Impact on Travelers’ Experience: Your tour guides can make or break a traveler’s experience. A well-trained guide knows how to take a tour itinerary and turn it into an extraordinary experience that will feel extra special for each guest, an unforgettable part of their trip they’ll remember forever.
- Impact on Business Reputation: Training your guides to deliver these highly positive experiences will also positively impact your business’ reputation. A positive experience inspires your guests to rave to their family and friends about it in person and on social media, leave five-star reviews for your business online, and maybe even come back for more. On the flip side, a negative experience delivered by an inexperienced, undertrained guide can have significant negative implications in the way of customer complaints, negative reviews, or worse.
You should also ignore the “way too expensive” tours and services! Look for VFM plus most of the above!
