THE TOUR DIRECTOR: The glue that binds the group together
Your tour will have a tour director travelling with you for your entire tour present when you arrive up to your departure and handle all administrative details in between. Part drill sergeant. Part parental figure. Part diplomat. Caregiver. Interpreter. Friend. Part object of blame. The glue that binds the group.
A typical land only day might commence with a clear directive by the tour director at what time transportation arrives. Doing headcount ensuring no one is missing, explaining the daily itinerary and who the tour guide may be who may be present or only at the locale visited. Luncheon and dinner arrangements are explained. Throughout the day the tour guide keeps a watchful eye no one from the group is straying. Rest stops are pre planned and humanely timed. In transit tour director commentary is somewhat reserved as the day progresses to avoid disturbing napping tour members.
They may assist with entry into countries and if well known by officials may result in expedited processing through customs and immigration.
Tour guides are hopefully respectful and laid back. I recall seeing a Chinese tour guide at Hong Kong airport shouting and drilling his group in an abusive manner like cattle on the way to the slaughterhouse. This made me thankful of our much gentler diplomatic tour guide!
Once off the bus they are usually accessible and may at certain periods have an office at your hotel desk.
They may perform beyond what is expected evidenced by certain personal acts. On our way to lunch at Red House Seafood Restaurant in Singapore our tour guide swiftly ducked into a small restaurant at a busy marketplace to pick up preordered (reputedly the best) Singaporean Chicken to have at our lunch drawing the ire of the restaurant manager of the Red House Seafood Restaurant but what Singaporean Chicken, a deceptively simple looking but exquisite dish!
Tour directors may handle medical emergencies as during my visit to Siem Reap in Cambodia two tour members required hospital admission and an interpreter to deal with medical staff.
They may impart valuable tips. At one hotel in Southeast Asia our tour guide recommended sending out laundry through the concierge (she knew well) as opposed to through the front desk saving a bundle of money.
Treat your tour guide as a person not a servant. You get what you give.
Tips are not required but one senses they are expected. Tips can be given as a group tip or individually.
The tour director is an essential component of your tour making or breaking its success.
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