Program Overview
Tour Guiding Services NC II is a technical-vocational program that teaches students how to coordinate tour programs/itinerary, guide and accompany tourists. Students are trained how to manage and assist tourists from the day of arrival up to the day of departure.
The Health Care Services NC II program is supervised and accredited by
TESDA (a government agency that regulates vocational courses), and TESDA-accredited education institutions may offer this program. The program may also be incorporated in undergraduate courses such as BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM) and BS in Tourism (BST).
Course Structure
The course structure for Tour Guiding Services NC II is divided into the following modules:
- Basic Competencies
- Participate in workplace communication (6 hours)
- Work in a team environment (3 hours)
- Practice career professionalism (3 hours)
- Practice occupational health and safety procedure (6 hours)
- Common Competencies
- Develop and update industry knowledge (2 hours)
- Observe workplace hygiene procedures(2 hours)
- Perform computer operations (6 hours)
- Perform workplace and safety practices (2 hours)
- Provide effective customer service (6 hours)
- Core Competencies
- Research information relevant to tour itinerary (40 hours)
- Manage arrangements for visitors (60 hours)
- Accompany and guide visitors in accordance with the tour itinerary (60 hours)
Is Tour Guiding a profession?
Tour Guiding is not considered a profession. As you can see from this program, 196 hours of training is considered by TESDA to be enough to work as a tour guide. Even without formal training, a person can work in this field as long as he/she has excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. There are a some skills that need to be developed, however, they are not difficult to learn nor are they considered specialized. Common careers include working as a Tour Guide, Tour Escort, Tour Coordinator and Travel Agent.
Entry Requirements for Tour Guiding Services NC II
The basic requirements for trainees of Tour Guiding Services NC II as set by TESDA are:
- Can communicate well in oral and written language
- Physically and mentally able
- With good moral character
- Can perform basic mathematical computation
Schools and training centers offering the program may include additional requirements.
What skills, traits and attitude will help you succeed in this course?
- Interpersonal skills – establish and maintain positive mutual working relationships with clients, supervisors and workmates.
- Comfortable rendering service to others
- Love of nature, outdoors and adventure – since you will be exposed to different places or environments, cultures and people you need to love being in the outdoors and trying new things.
- Oral and written English skills – as a tour guide you will most likely encounter many tourists, so communicating in English (or any other foreign language) is a big advantage. English is also required for job related tasks.
- Patience – you may encounter irritable and demanding clients, therefore you must be patient enough to deal with different types of people.
- Administrative skill – basic abilities in organization and planning, computing and scheduling
- Computer Literacy – most transactions are processed with the use of computers thus it’s essential to have knowledge of computer use.
How long does it take to complete the Tour Guiding Services NC II program in the Philippines?
The recommended duration of Tour Guiding Services NC II program according to TESDA regulations is
196 hours. However the duration may be longer due to the OJT or the school's curriculum.
On the Job Training (OJT)
TESDA-accredited institutions may integrate an On the Job Training (OJT) in the Tour Guiding Services NC II program. Students may be assigned in tour operators, tour guiding agencies, hotels, resorts and other related operations, were they will get to practice what they learned in an actual job setting. The required number of hours for OJT varies from one institution to another.
Assessment and Certification
The
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is the regulating body for all vocational courses in the Philippines and is in-charge of the assessment and certification of the competencies of technical-vocational workers through the
Philippine TVET Qualification and Certification System (PTQCS). The assessment process aims to determine whether the graduate will be able to perform according to workplace standards based on a defined competency standard. Certification is given to those who meet the competency standards.
The Assessment and Certification process is not required among graduates of vocational courses. Graduate trainees have the option whether to undergo the process or not. However, a TESDA certification will give a graduate an advantage since local and foreign companies who hire skilled workers may require this credential.
Graduates of Tour Guiding Services NC II are advised to take the
Assessment and Certification Exam, National Certificate – Level II (NCII).
The National Certificate is only valid for five years, which means that it has to be renewed. The requirements and steps in applying for assessment and certification as well as the methods used for assessment are found in the TESDA website.
Career Opportunities for Tour Guiding Services NC II graduates
- Sightseeing Tour Guide – escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as mountains, waterfalls, public buildings, markets, churches, museums and antiquities.
- Adventure and Sport Tour Guides – escort groups in adventurous outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, climbing, diving, caving and other similar activities.
- Eco Tour Guide – escort groups in natural environments such as forests, mountains and nature reserves, and educates the tourists on eco-systems, plants, animals and conservation efforts.
- Shore Excursion Guide – works on board a cruise ship or a charter yacht. Takes groups of people from the ship onto the shore at various ports along the journey and shows them the main attractions.
- Freelance / Independent Tour Guide – escort individuals or groups on tours. The difference from a regular tour guide is that you are your own boss, and responsible for all aspects of your operation.
- Tour Coordinator – provides a variety of secretarial, clerical and receptionist services and coordinates group tours of a facility.
- Travel and Tour planner – help their clients make the best decisions about travel arrangements. They make suggestions on where to go, methods of transportation, car rentals, hotel accommodations, tours to take and attractions to see.
- Tour Manager/Director – responsible for planning and organizing tours on behalf of tour operators.
Career Opportunities Abroad
There are not many tour guiding jobs for Filipinos abroad, at least at the time this was written (2017). Searches in JobStreet and other internet sources did not yield any results.
Salary Levels
Jobs related to Tour Guiding Services in the Philippines usually offer low salaries, between P 8K to 15K per month.
If you advance to supervisory/managerial positions you may expect between 15K-25K per month.