There are many qualities that you will need to be a good tour guide: knowledge, passion, humor, and communication skills – just to name a few. Does the same thing apply if you want to be a Zanzibar tour guide or do you need something else? Read along to discover the answer!
What does it mean to be a successful tour guide?
Those who decided to follow a job in the tour guiding industry have discovered that their profession resembles that of a teacher in many aspects. You get to meet a group of people who are willing to patiently learn from you several things that will change their experience and that they will remember for a very long time.
Thus, this is not a job to be taken lightly. Still, as there are different cultures and traditions, there are different guides all over the world. For example, if you decide to be a Zanzibar tour guide, you will have to explain to tourists different things about the Tanzanian archipelago. Plus, you will get plenty of other advantages.
To start with, you will get the best “office”. Your job will require you to walk daily through wonderful landscapes, spend your time on a boat on the Indian Ocean, admire the lovely streets of Stone Town, swim with endemic species of dolphins and turtles, and many others.
In case you are worried about becoming a Zanzibar tour guide without speaking the most used language in the region, Swahili, worry not! According to linguistic research, this is said to be the easiest African language for a foreigner to learn. So you can master a new skill and, in no time, you will be able to communicate with locals while also teaching the tourists a few useful words.
So, what are the professional and personal qualities you need?
To be the best Zanzibar tour guide out there, you need to have plenty of knowledge regarding this culture and be passionate about it. For example, when tourists come in, they will be interested in discovering different parts of the island and learning more about the people living here. When you go walking in Stone Town, tourists will want to find out interesting facts about the place where Freddie Mercury was born, but also about the fascinating architecture in the city and about the stories it tells.
At the same time, you need to be welcoming and communicative to ensure people you meet have the best time here. Provide them with a fountain of interesting facts and funny anecdotes, and you can be sure they will recommend you to their friends! Thus, having customer service skills, as well as excellent verbal communication skills is essential!
Last but not least, you should know there are different types of tour guides: historical ones, nature ones, city ones, and even freelance guides. Zanzibar allows you to choose the one that is best for you!
Now that you know what it takes to be a successful Zanzibar tour guide, it is up to you to decide if you are willing to work in one of the most amazing places in the entire world!
