Some people are adventurous and outgoing; too adventurous, in fact that they tend to find someone to share the adventures with. More than sharing their adventures, they want to educate people on the places that they have been to. This is the usual last frontier that traveling people face. By offering their services as travel guides, they are not only able to repeatedly travel to places that they have fallen in love to but they can also share their experiences and adventures to other people.
People also resort to travel guide occupations not only to be able to share their adventure but also to meet people. Meeting all sorts of people is always an exhilarating experience, especially to foreigners with an eye for curiosity. These people are like children that never tire to look the beauty and know the history of the places and monuments that they encounter in their travels. In fact, travel guide professionals must have a good deal of knowledge in history to be able to answer the inquiries. He must also be ready to do animations, improvisations and representations in topics or subjects that are very hard to understand for the foreigners.
Aside from this, it is also a sort of nationalistic pride that fires the travel guide professionals to their work. They do their best to promote the tourism and beauty of their country. In doing so, they feel contented that they are able to do service to their country in their own little way as travel guide professionals.
Common Tasks Of Travel Guide Professionals
Travel guide professionals plan and organize expeditions, tours and cruises that are usually long distance travels. They usually book the tour or cruise details such as accommodation, transportation, equipment and even availability of medical aid. The arrangement usually takes place after he is able to reach a specific required quota in the number of customers.
If necessary, the travel guide professional is responsible for securing the visa, passport and health certificate needs of his tour participants. These permits and important; they are necessary to afford convenience in travel for tour participants. Usually, assistance from the travel guide professional is enough for the tour participants. But nowadays, because of the seemingly never-ending travel requirements, travel guides form partnerships with agencies for securing such important documents.
Throughout the tour, the travel guide professional must attend to the needs of his tour participants, while also giving advice and tips on the best sightseeing or shopping areas available. Some travel guide professionals usually have pre-formed partnerships with shopping establishments or sightseeing areas regarding his tour participants.
In each stop of the travel, he will have to discuss the significance of the area, why they have traveled on those parts and what part in history took place there. Throughout the tour, the travel guide professional already did a research on the best possible travel routes and the destination sites. Also, while on tour, he will evaluate the services received during the duration of the tour, the results of which will be reported to the organizers of the tour beside him.
Tours are usually not free from problems. The travel guide professional must be ready to resolve any problem in accommodation, service or itineraries, and to verify the amounts or fees as well as quality of the equipment to be used prior to the expedition and tour. These types of problems, nonetheless, are manageable for a professional travel guide. More alarming and pressing problems are usually in the form of mishaps or accidents during the tour that can do harm on the health or may even cost the lives of the travelers. In this case, the tour guide must be ready to administer first aid to injured patrons and be able to get medical aid or ambulance for the seriously hurt, immediately.
The travel guide professional must also be adept in various skills. He must be knowledgeable of existing hunting or fishing laws enforced in the area and capable of explaining it to his tour participants. When required, he must be ready to instruct his tour participants in climbing and mountaineering techniques, wilderness survival and be able to demonstrate the use of equipment used in fishing, hunting and climbing.
Characteristics Common To Travel Guide Professionals.
Travel guide professionals must be realistic since his occupation usually includes practicality and ability to manage hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with real-time situations that need fast decision-making attitudes. Since the occupation requires one to work continuously outside, the travel guide professional must be street smart and knowledgeable in current issues and trends. He does not do a lot of paperwork and usually exposes himself or herself to the outside world.
A travel guide professional must be artistic as he is realistic. Artistic in a way as to allow self-expression and does his work without a clear set of rules to follow. He needs to be creative in presenting the various tour stops to his participants. He must try different strategies to avoid letting his participants to be bored with the tour.
A travel guide professional must also be sociable and willing to interact with all sorts of people, of various race and nationalities. Primarily, the occupation of travel guide professionals aims to share interests and experiences to other people and so great people skills are required.
Although it is not necessary, travel guide professionals will be at the advantage compared to other individuals if they are knowledgeable in one or two foreign languages. The English language, although being universal is not very helpful in times of explaining the significance of a particular event in history to a foreigner with a different tongue. Speaking to foreigners in their native language will make them at ease and comfortable throughout the trip.
Travel guide professionals must also have thorough knowledge in geography and also in public safety and security. Knowledge in these areas will make the travel guide professional more effective in ensuring the safety of his tour participants. Knowledge in geography will also arm him with better decisions especially in times of weather change. The comfort of the tour participants is the prime objective of the travel guide professional.
Posts Tagged ‘Travel’
Hospitality Career Enjoy Nature and Travelling By Being A Travel Guide
Friday, March 5th, 2010Guide to Purchasing Travel Insurance for Visitors to Canada
Sunday, October 7th, 2007With the strong economy, welcoming culture, great natural beauty and high quality of life, Canada is a popular destination for foreign visitors. Canada in not only a popular vacation destination it has the strongest economy in the G8. The strong Canadian economy means that Canada is a hot spot for business travelers, foreign workers, new immigrants, and international students.
Also, Canada has an aging population which means that the health care system is overburdened. Canada’s health expenses rival the United States as the most expensive in the world.
Also, Canada has an aging population which means that the health care system is overburdened. Canada’s health expenses rival the United States as the most expensive in the world.
Sample medical costs in Canada.
Simple doctor visits cost approximately $150
Ambulance approximately $250
Non-critical hospital stay cost around $3,500 per night
Air ambulance around $20,000
etc.
Medical expenses can become financially crippling. To ensure personal safety, Medical Insurance is highly recommended for all foreign visitors to Canada.
The good news is that medical insurance is quite affordable. For example, good individual coverage can be purchased for a 40 year old for $3-$5 per day, and an entire family can be covered for under $15 per day.
Canadian insurance companies have developed medical insurance plans for all types of visitors to Canada. weather you are a business traveler, international student, new immigrant, foreign worker, or simply vacationing in Canada, a plan designed to suit your needs is available at an affordable rate.
Business Travelers and Tourists Visiting Canada
Whether you are traveling to Canada for business meetings or vacationing with your family, medical insurance is important to cover the high costs of medical care. Visitor to Canada Emergency medical is available to pay the expenses incurred by sudden and unexpected medical conditions. Coverage is available up to 89 years of age. No medical questions are required but pre-existing medical conditions will likely be excluded from coverage. If you have a pre-existing medical condition please review the medical policy wording closely before purchasing.
Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance can be purchased at levels of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000. Coverage can be purchased for individuals, couples, or families. Single trip and annual plans are available. If you plan to travel to Canada frequently within a 12 month period then an annual plan will be most suitable.
New Immigrants to Canada
New immigrants to Canada are not eligible for provincial health insurance until they gain landed immigrant or permanent residence status.
Foreign workers in Canada
The Canadian labor shortage has provided ample opportunities for foreign workers to enter Canada on a work visa. Unfortunately, these work visas are normally issued for 6 months minus one day… this is one day before the foreign workers become eligible for Provincial health insurance coverage. This means that private health insurance must be purchased to cover emergency medical costs for the time spent living in Canada on a temporary work visa.
Inpatriate Medical Insurance
Employers can provide medical insurance to foreign workers by purchasing Inpatriate Medical Insurance. Inpatriate Medical Insurance can be purchased for the six month work visa. Inpatriate insurance can be purchased for durations as short as one month for workers who have already arrived in Canada. Coverage can be purchased at levels of $100,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000. Single, Couple, or family coverage is also available. Inpatriate medical Insurance coverage differs from Visitors Emergency Medical Insurance as it provides for non-emergency medical visits.
Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance
Foreign workers who are not provided coverage by their employers will be required to purchase private medical insurance. Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance is available for personal coverage for your entire work visa term in Canada. Coverage can be purchased at levels of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000, with the high cost of health care in Canada it is recommended that foreign worker purchase the best coverage amount. Single, Couple, or family coverage is also available.
International Students in Canada
Canada is a world leader in education. Many international student choose Canada for their foreign education destination. Not all international students are eligible for government sponsored health insurance…. and for those who are eligible may have to wait three months before the coverage becomes effective. Also, international students not attending eligible educational institutions will not be covered by the provincial government health insurance plan. Private medical insurance will be required. International students can choose to purchase complete Health and Hospital Insurance or only Emergency Medical Insurance
Health and Hospital Insurance
Provides International Students visiting Canada with complete health coverage. In addition to emergency medical coverage, non-emergency health costs and prescription drugs are also covered up to maximum amounts. Medical coverage of to $1,000,000 is available. Coverage can also be purchased for the students spouse and family while they are residing in Canada.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Similar in coverage as the health and hospital plan but does not cover non-emergency medical and prescription drugs are limited to a 30 day supply. Coverage can also be purchased for the students spouse and family while they are residing in Canada.
Make sure that you are safe and enjoy ‘peace of mind’ during you stay in Canada by purchasing medical insurance.
How To Avoid Hidden Travel Fees
Thursday, August 23rd, 2007Budgeting for a holiday is always a smart idea; simply booking a trip without making the proper financial plans is a great way to end up paying through the nose for a lot of extras you don’t even use. Even the most careful budgeting, though, can go awry due to hidden travel fees. Sometimes, these fees are tacked on by companies that hope you won’t notice; other times, they are blatantly added and can increase your total bill by a considerable amount. Knowing about them – and how to avoid them – can help you remain true to your budget and avoid overspending while travelling.Luggage Fees Everyone knows that airlines are struggling to remain solvent in these increasing competitive times. With the cost of petrol ever on the rise, it’s not surprising that the major airlines are looking to recoup their losses wherever they can. One of the most aggravating phenomenons to occur lately are luggage fees. The way that many airlines squeeze these fees in is by banking on the fact that many travellers are simply unaware of these fees. Upon checking your luggage in, you are presented with the unpleasant fact that extra charges have been incurred and are now due. Avoid this altogether by packing as much as you can as a carry-on item; if possible, ship extra belongings via common carrier to your destination.Amenities Fees Another way in which many airlines are trying to make a bit of extra money is by charging for things that used to be completely free while in flight. While most airlines still offer a small snack for free, flight attendants also come around offering a smorgasbord of delectable looking snacks – for a price. Similarly, many airlines charge extra for the use of pillows and blankets. Finally, if you want to take advantage of Wi-Fi on a flight, you’re going to pay a lot extra for the privilege.Extra Fees For Premium Seats Although some airlines still allow you to request particular seats upon booking a flight, many now charge extra for seats that are considered “premium” – even within coach class. For example, many people prefer to sit in the exit row; nowadays, many airlines charge an extra fee for the opportunity to do so. The same goes for the bulkhead area, which many taller people prefer since there’s a lot more leg room there – you’re going to have to fork over extra money to sit there. You can avoid these fees, of course, by not partaking in premium seats on a flight – or sometimes by talking directly to the airline beforehand.Hidden Hotel Fees Everyone knows that in addition to the base room rate, hotels charge a bevy of taxes. It’s a part of the price of staying at a hotel, and it’s par for the course. However, more and more hotels are trying to make up for their slashed room rates by tacking on extra fees that their customers never agreed to in the first place. This sneaky practice happens in the form of things like a “hospitality fee,” a “bellman fee” or a “resort fee.” Even if these miscellaneous fees only add a dollar or two to your total bill, they are still unfair and should be disputed. Usually, if you dispute those charges with hotel staff they will be promptly removed.Foreign Transaction Fees Many travellers feel that they are being savvy by using their credit cards everywhere they go while travelling in a foreign country. After all, in doing so they can avoid changing a lot of currency and it does seem a great deal more convenient. The truth is, though, that most major credit cards charge a per-transaction fee for transactions made in foreign countries. The trickiest thing about these fees is that they normally don’t appear until some time later, taking people by surprise and completely ruining their travel budgets. You can avoid this problem by sticking with cash whenever possible, or by only doing business with credit card companies that don’t engage in this practice. Do your research ahead of time, either way, so that you can steer clear of these sometimes-exorbitant charges when your monthly bill rolls around.
Hospitality: the Perks of Travel and Hospitality Jobs
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007Travel and hospitality jobs are usually put under the limelight nowadays and you can expect this to happen for the next couple of decades to come. As science and technology evolves, so does the availability of job positions in different industries. This trend too is applicable with service oriented industries like hospitality. What Are They?Jobs that would fall into this category are usually those that involve providing services, accommodation and hospitality whilst travelling. These are usually hospitality jobs that are based on cruise ships, airlines, and land tour companies. Common job positions would be tour guides, discovery guides, docents, and interpreters. However, for cruise ship based jobs, there are much more positions offered. For instance, you could be a chef and work in the ship’s kitchen, a lifeguard where you’ll be based near the pool while watching children, a bar tender, waiter/waitress, bellhop and lot more.Do You Want A Beneficial Job? If you want a job that has a lot of benefits, then you should get into the line of travel and hospitality jobs. This industry is considered to be one of the most promising according to experts. It is also an area where you would enjoy growing and developing your talents. If you have no idea of what are the benefits you can get from jobs like these, then here are some of the common perks of travel and hospitality jobs given by various companies. Security And StabilityOne perk of being in this kind of career is the high probability of having a stable job. There is a continuous demand for these types of jobs. Once you’re in, your employer would definitely love to keep you in the crew, provided that you work well and properly of course.Additionally, even if you end your contract with your current employer, you can still have a new job in a different company in no time; since it is pretty easy to find job openings in this area of the industry. Thus, your income would definitely be stable no matter what happens.Lodging And FoodUsually, jobs in this industry are also inclusive of meals and lodging. However, it would still depend on the position you are in and the company you are working for. If your job requires some travelling, then there’s a good chance that this kind of perk is included.For lodging, it may be the case that your company has a specified place where you can stay or they may be willing to reimburse your lodging expenses. For food, companies usually have a separate cafeteria just for workers where you can take your meals or just like in lodging, they may be willing to reimburse your food expenses or give you food allowances. Huge TipsSince this is a people and service oriented path, there is always the chance of getting tips from customers. Other than that, there is also the chance of meeting big tippers along the way. You can count on this opportunity especially if you are working in big hotels and resorts. TravellingIf you’ll be working in cruise ships and airlines, then travelling would definitely be part of your job. The best part here is that you get to do it for free. You get to see different places and different parts of the world with minimal expenses on your part.
Medical Travel – Limited Health Insurance? Cardiac surgery
Saturday, January 27th, 2007
As the debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton heats up over health care, the truth still remains that 47 million Americans are uninsured and millions more deprived of healthcare. Last year Steve Roach of Texas needed triple bypass surgery but didn’t have the means or the insurance coverage to pay for it. Just the hospital fee was up to $85000. Add other costs to this and the bill could go up to $250000. Fearing bankruptcy, he took a bold step and went to India for surgery. All costs included – surgery, hospital, doctor, anesthesiologist, etc., etc. – the bill was $12000. Medical and dental travel company Healthbase arranged Steve’s low cost high quality medical treatment in India saving him from going bankrupt. For more, visit www.Healthbase.com.
