Profession park guide

Park guides assist visitors, interpret cultural and natural heritage and provide information and guidance to tourists in parks such as wildlife, amusement and nature parks.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Local geography

    The range of physical and geographical properties and descriptions of a local area, by street names and not only.

  • Local area tourism industry

    The characteristics of local sights and events, accommodation, bars and restaurants and leisure activities.

  • Geographical areas relevant to tourism

    The field of tourism geography in Europe as well as the rest of the world in order to point out relevant tourism areas and attractions.

  • Sightseeing information

    The sightseeing information of a particular touristic site.

Skills

  • Handle personal identifiable information

    Administer sensitive personal information on customers securely and discreetly

  • Perform clerical duties

    Perform administrative tasks such as filing, typing up reports and maintaining mail correspondence.

  • Provide tourism related information

    Give customers relevant information about historical and cultural locations and events while conveying this information in an entertaining and informative manner.

  • Follow ethical code of conduct in tourism

    Carry out touristic services according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes fairness, transparency and impartiality.

  • Create solutions to problems

    Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.

  • Provide visitor information

    Provide directions and other relevant information to visitors.

  • Read maps

    Read maps effectively.

  • Use different communication channels

    Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.

  • Manage tourist groups

    Monitor and guide tourists ensuring positive group dynamics and address areas of conflict and concern where they occur.

  • Inform visitors at tour sites

    Distribute booklets, show audio-visual presentations, give guidance and relevant comments at tour site locations. Explain the history and functionality of tour highlights and respond to questions.

  • Monitor visitor tours

    Monitor visitors' touring activities to ensure compliance with legislation and safety practices.

  • Collect visitor fees

    Collect fees from visitors and group members.

  • Speak different languages

    Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

  • Maintain customer service

    Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.

  • Manage health and safety standards

    Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company's health and safety programmes.

  • Welcome tour groups

    Greet newly arrived groups of tourists at their starting point to announce details of upcoming events and travel arrangements.

  • Maintain relationship with suppliers

    Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.

  • Escort visitors to places of interest

    Bring tourists to places of interest such as museums, exhibitions, theme parks or art galleries.

  • Handle tour contract details

    Administer tour contract details in order to make sure that tourists receive all services included in the tour package.

  • Ensure health and safety of visitors

    Take the necessary precautions to ensure the physical safety of an audience or people visiting an activity. Prepare actions in case of emergency. Administer first aid and direct emergency evacuations.

  • Register visitors

    Register visitors after greeting them. Distribute any required identification badges or safety devices.

  • Handle veterinary emergencies

    Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.

  • Conduct educational activities

    Plan, perform and supervise educational activities for a variety of audiences, such as for school children, university students, specialist groups, or members of the public.

  • Assemble visitor supplies

    Collect and check all required supplies and equipment before departure.

  • Select visitor routes

    Examine and select points of interest, travel routes and sites to be visited.

  • Train guides

    Give training to fellow guides and volunteers.

Optional knowledge and skills

assist clients with special needs distribute local information materials environmental impact of tourism maintain relationships with doctors handle customer complaints measure customer feedback monitor nature conservation advise on nature conservation identify plants characteristics maintain incident reporting records promote recreation activities demonstrate intercultural competences in hospitality services apply foreign languages in tourism inspire enthusiasm for nature natural areas maintenance tourism market plant species animal species

Source: Sisyphus ODB