Supporting local tour guides
Tour Guide Training in Thandaung Gyi

Participants with Martin H. Petrich and Lei Lei Aung (next to Petrich)

HSF

Martin H. Petrich, a tour guide and travel book author with more than 20 years of experience in Myanmar and other Asian countries, was the leading expert in the training. Lei Lei Aung, Project Assistant of the Hanns Seidel Foundation and certified tour guide, supported him. In the training 12 participants learned theoretical and practical aspects about:

• essential knowledge for tour guides 
• code of conducts for tour guides 
• customer service
• safety and security issues
• how to develop itineraries
• how to prepare and conduct a safe and enjoyable tour

The young Thandung Gyi tour guides during a working session

HSF

The focus of the training was on interpretation and storytelling. Interpretation can help to reinforce the cultural and historical identity of a particular area or region. The training helped to get an in-depth understanding of the most important working tool of a guide: interpretation skills, which will lead to more satisfied customers. Tours based on an interpretative approach can also help to attract a higher number of customers, encourage actions to protect culture and environment of the destination and gain more job satisfaction. All these aspects are closely related to responsible tourism and the enforcement of responsible tourism management in a destination.

We would like to thank Martin H. Petrich and the engaged participants.