If you’re dedicated to letting visitors know all that Berlin has to offer, you will understand the need to know the latest historical and cultural information and trends. Education does not stop when attending a tour guide school; much knowledge and skills are added, giving you the opportunity to give your clients a more enriching experience. Berlin tour guides here will learn of different chances for education that is specially tailored for them.
1. Local Tour Guide Associations
If you’re looking for continuing education opportunities, local tour guide associations are one of the first places to check. These associations usually conduct workshops, seminars and conferences to give you a great platform of learning from industry experts, and meeting other tour guides. In Berlin, the Professional Tour Guide Association Berlin (BTGV) is an amazing resource. Tour guides regularly train and are able to partake in some professional development events to be up to date on the most recent times and practices.
2. Language and Communication Skills
As a tour guide you really need to practice effective communication. Bettering your language skills — whether English or another commonly spoken language — will help you better connect with international visitors. It won’t harm if you enroll in language courses and workshops to make yourself more fluent and learn new, specialized vocabulary to the tourism industry. For example, The Berlin School of English dedicates its language courses especially for tour guides.
3. Historical and Cultural Deep Dives
Tour guides often need to supplement continuing education with greater depth on the historical and cultural aspects of their city. Learn more about Berlin’s history, art, architecture, and cultural heritage by attending lectures, taking guided tours or taking online courses. The Berliner Unterwelten has the institute’s guided tours about Berlin’s underground history; the Berlin State Museums have educational programs and resources.
4. Technology and Digital Skills
Given the transformation of the tourism industry by technology, it is necessary that tour guides upbit the everyday use of modern day modern tools and platforms. Find workshops or courses where you are taught how to make use of the technology to enhance your tours — like with mobile app, virtual reality or social media for promotion. The Berlin School of Digital Business is also among the touring sector’s favourite trainings programs for professionals.
5. First Aid and Safety Training
Safety and well being of your tour group is of primary importance. Give yourself the skills you need to handle an emergency by getting first aid and safety training. The Technical Relief Agency (THW) teaches first aid in courses specially tailored to tourism professionals, so that you too can give your clients a safe and secure experience.
6. Customer Service and Soft Skills
Exceptional tour guide is someone with good soft skills and a strong customer service. Workshops and courses on customer service, leadership, public speaking and storytelling, will help you improve your interpersonal and communication skills. Improving these skills not only benefits your clients’ experience, but they can lead to a good review and recommendation that in return will help boost your overall reputation as a tour guide.
Conclusion
Berlin’s tour guides must continuously upgrade their education. There are so many opportunities available to you from local associations to language courses to historical deep dives that if you take advantage of them you can improve your knowledge, improve your skills and provide an exceptional experience to your clients. But remember, if you invest in your own education then it’s good for you, the tourist, and the city you’re guiding through the captivating streets of Berlin.
Table of Contents