Which language should guides learn to woo the maximum number of tourists?
One can learn any language — French, Italian, German, Japanese and Russian. Nevertheless, English-speaking guides are the most common and those who are fluent in any foreign language earn Rs 300 to 400 per day over and above their normal fees. Tourists are normally curious. How do you handle their relentless quizzing? It’s true that our clients are quite inquisitive. We have to read up on history, archaeology, religion, politics and everything else about our country. I am a postgraduate in history from the University of Delhi and I still read books on history to keep myself updated. Currently I am reading Gulbadan Begum Ka Humayun Nama. You never stop learning in this profession. Guides should also attend workshops, conferences and short courses, which add to their skills. The association organised a skill enhancement course on Buddhism in December last year. A similar course on Delhi’s heritage monuments was held sometime back.
