I have tertiary qualifications in International Business Studies and Marketing and worked many years for Heineken, Douwe Egberts (Pickwick tea and Moccona coffee) and Tulip Food Company in export/import related positions.
How did you make the transition to becoming a tour guide?
As an export/import manager I traveled a lot. Even mere – I develop a kind of hobby organizing fam-tours for travel media in various countries across all the globe. Once I calculated – it comes that I visited almost 80 countries…
So, here in NZ once I had a gap between my jobs and was asked to do a guiding tour for a group of businessmen. I liked it and decided to concentrate on Guiding, Travel and Tourism. Shortly after my settling with family in Wellington I’ve started my business which turned to be my favorite one indeed – Wellington Private Tours and later moved to Bay of Islands. Beside guiding I provide all regular Tourist services for travelers from Russia, Ukraine and other Russian speaking destinations.
If I have a tour – just do it in accordance with the itinerary and reasonable requests of the clients. If not – do bookings as requested, take care about my web sites, media pages, contact tour operators in Russia and service providers here in NZ. Also try to get something new useful for my private tours…
Have you got a certain style of guiding, or do you just run with it on the day?
The idea is that the expromts during a tour should be well prepared.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is the possibility to connnect with lots of different people, often very interesting. this is an excellent source of unlimited knowledge.
Using a professional guide is the only way to use efficiently time (and money) when travelling, especially if a stay at a place is short.
Every job has its ups and downs. Are there any aspects of your job that you don’t like or aren’t that keen on?
Only bad weather (very rare) really upsets me, as I’m not able at that moments to show my favorite places to their advantage…
In your view, what makes a good tour guide?
Attitude and experience.
And finally, have you got any tips for people who are interested in booking a guide like yourself, but aren’t too sure what to look for?
People who are interested in booking a guide, but aren’t too sure what to look for should just contact a guide and ask…
Sign up for a no-cost no-spam traveler account to see hidden VIP trip prices, earn some social conscience karma points, and get in on some awesome prizes too!
