THE ART OF TOUR GUIDING
Crafting Memorable Experiences
It's an exciting time for history lovers! We have a surge of virtual tours, online experiences, Matterport technology, mobile apps and on-site audio tours – so much choice! But with all these advancements, is there still a place for the good old-fashioned, in-person guided tour? How relevant are public group tours now?
What truly sets apart a captivating tour from a tedious time warp? It's the art of connection, the skill of storytelling, and the dedication to crafting a resonant experience. What makes this special is the live engagement: witnessing demonstrations, hearing questions, and connecting with a presenter. It's not just learning; it's about how it makes you feel. This blog briefly explores the strengths and weaknesses of in-person tours and makes the case for continued relevance ... if done well!
Historic House Manager: Seeking Tour Guides
Imagine that a historic house manager is recruiting a new guide. What skills would they be looking for? And equally importantly, what pitfalls would they want to avoid? They'd be seeking a guide who could spark curiosity, is passionate about authenticity, possesses a flair for storytelling and understands the delicate art of balancing commentary with queries. Certainly, no monotone droning is allowed!
“A tour can be a transformative experience or a tedious time warp. It's the guide's skill that makes the difference and it’s the organisation's research and training that is the foundation of success”.
What Makes a Great Tour?
So, what elements combine to create a truly memorable tour? It's far more than reciting facts or timelines. A truly great tour begins with observing the people in front of you first. This involves building rapport, a friendly greeting and establishing a genuine connection. Communication is key, providing a roadmap and an overview that helps visitors feel oriented. In tandem, awareness and monitoring are crucial; in assessing group dynamics, managing movement and sensing changes in energy.
Creating interactive spaces encourages questions, dialogue and sensory experiences while adapting to diverse learning styles ensures inclusivity. A great tour guide brings the past to life, engaging people with artefacts, architectural heritage and historical figures in a context which is built on solid research foundations. This includes handling sensitive topics with care, adding visual and interactive elements, acknowledging missing viewpoints and citing sources.
Navigating Common Pitfalls
"It's easy for tours to derail, but you can navigate these common pitfalls through awareness, training and planning. In short, every negative can be flipped to a positive. Instead of:
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Monotony? - aim for dynamic storytelling.
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Academic overload? - focus on key takeaways and signposting.
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Overrunning? - respect time constraints and practice pacing.
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Keeping to one spot? - encourage movement and interaction.
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Poor group management? - provide attentive guidance.
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Ignoring the audience? – exchange them with questions.
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Visitor domination? - facilitate balanced participation.
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Ignoring preconceived notions? - acknowledge them.
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Poor delivery? - practice clear articulation, tone, pitch and language.
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Inaccessible collections? – Provide a digital alternative or replica.
What to Consider?
Remember the 5 W's? Who, What, Where, When, Why? And of course, How! These are the building blocks of a captivating tour. Picture a family, giggling kids and a grandma with mobility considerations. They need a guide who can ignite enthusiasm, tell stories that resonate across generations, manage young explorers with ease and provide strategic seating for accessibility if needed.
Start with these questions and watch your stories and tours become clearer. Here’s a few for starters…
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Who are your visitors?
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What are the key storylines – what is missing?
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Where are the best places to talk?
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When is the best time to tell each part of the story?
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Why would visitors care?
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How can you adapt for different audiences?
And on that last point, you really wouldn’t expect the tour to be the same if your group were full of boffins, foreign tourists or teens, so start there … what would you do differently?
In a Nutshell
“So, transparency is paramount; accuracy and truthfulness are non-negotiable and respect for diverse perspectives is essential. Facilitate, rather than lecture and always know your sources”.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned guide or just starting out, remember that the art of tour guiding is about connecting people to the past. As an organisation, continuous improvement is vital. Regularly update content, observe guides and encourage peer reviews. Foster a collaborative environment where best practices are shared.
Scratching the Surface
And there you have it, a glimpse into the nuances of tour guiding. We’ve only scratched the surface. There are many layered elements to consider, such as research, recruitment, risk assessments, learning styles, specialised themed tours, behind-the-scenes sessions, first and third-person costumed interpretation, tips for refreshing established guides, accessibility and integrating technology. In addition, considering the type of venue is also essential.
Need Guidance?
Have you got a brilliant tour idea brewing but don't know where to start? Perhaps you're looking to audit an existing tour, or need some expert training for your team.
