Module 1 - Tourist Guides

Question 1

There are many types of tourist guides. Name any two of them and briefly explain their main duties.

Answer 1

1. On-site Guide:

Main Duties: On-site guides provide in-depth information and interpretive services at specific locations such as historical sites, museums, or landmarks. Their primary responsibility is to educate visitors about the significance, history, and cultural aspects of the site they are exploring.

2. Tour Escort (or Tour Leader):

Main Duties: Tour escorts accompany groups of tourists throughout their journey, ensuring smooth logistics such as transportation, accommodation, and itinerary management. They act as the group’s coordinator, resolving issues, and often serve as the liaison between the group and local service providers.

Question 2

What does “guiding service” mean under the Travel Industry Ordinance (Cap. 634)?

Answer 2

Guiding service means the service of
1. providing information,
2. description or
3. explanation
about an itinerary or a place of interest in Hong Kong.

Question 3

What does working as a tourist guide mean under the Travel Industry Ordinance (Cap. 634)?

Answer 3

A person works as a tourist guide if the person accompanies a visitor to Hong Kong to provide any guiding service to the visitor following the directions of another person carrying on travel agent business (whether or not that other person is a licensed travel agent).

Question 4

Which Travel Industry Authority (TIA) committee is responsible for taking disciplinary action against tourist guides?

Answer 4

The Disciplinary Committee of the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) is responsible for taking disciplinary action against tourist guides, tour escorts, and travel agents who violate the rules, regulations, or professional standards set under the Travel Industry Ordinance (Cap. 634).

Question 5

Licensed tourist guides must have completed the Continuing Professional Development Scheme for Tourist Guides (CPD Scheme) specified by TIA to renew their licences. List the three categories of activities under the CPD Scheme. (C E P)

Answer 5

1. Core Training Activities
2. Elective Training Activities
3. Practical Training Activities: