We were extremely proud that Rob was awarded Silver for Guided Tour of the Year in last year’s North East Tourism Awards. Starting his business 3 years ago and now only 22, he’s had to work hard to gain respect in this industry. There might have been a few doubts about his ability to face the public with confidence and provide adequate knowledge at such a young age.
The reason we believe Rob was awarded such a high accolade so soon after graduation is that he has the necessary attributes to be a successful Tour Guide, the most important being:-
- Passion and enthusiasm
- The ability to relate to people of all age groups
- The ability to impart knowledge in an engaging manner
I liken it to being a teacher. You can be taught the skills to teach effectively, but unless you have enthusiasm for your subject and are able to engage well with your pupils, you won’t necessarily be good at it. Personality is important when dealing with people of any age, whether you’re a teacher, a salesperson or a tour guide.
Rob is not just a tour guide, he’s a performer. He reminds me of a theatre actor before going on stage. He always gets a little nervous before a tour but when faced with an audience, all nerves dissipate and he’s in his element. He truly cares about his customers, wants to give them a good time and hates the idea that anyone would go home feeling disappointed.
The ability to read an audience is another essential attribute. It’s important to keep visitors engaged. Too much history can sometimes lose people’s interest so even though subject knowledge is very important, a script should be interspersed with witty anecdotes. If you can make people laugh, they are more likely to have a memorable experience and remember the facts too!
I will always remember the most enjoyable tour I experienced in the US many years ago. The guide was so funny and entertaining, I still chuckle to myself when I think about it now. He really made the day for us and maybe it’s where Rob draws his inspiration from. He was only 7 at the time but I remember the guide engaging with him as much as he did with the adults in the group. That’s what Rob is striving to achieve with his audiences.
Rob, guiding and performing on his popular tour of Alnwick Castle
Karen Lundgren Jones
April 3rd, 2019
