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I like the idea of "anyone can be a tour guide" as a gig economy company. But my experience is that professional, fulltime guides are much better guides within

by soneca 11y ago

I like the idea of "anyone can be a tour guide" as a gig economy company. But my experience is that professional, fulltime guides are much better guides within the arguments you made. Specially about deep knowledge about specific spots. What made you think otherwise? Your benefits look much more like group tour vs personal tour (not pro guide vs local guide). Wouldnt this be your value proposition? And assuming you have a local, personal guide and people want it. How do you train these guides? How do ensure their quality?

keioka 11y ago
First of all, thank you for your comment and feedback. I appreciate it. > But my experience is that professional, fulltime guides are much better guides within the arguments you made. Especially about deep knowledge about specific spots. What made you think otherwise? Giving just the general knowledge of placs is less value because travelers can get information through google or Wikipedia. What if a professor of History can be a guide, what if food blogger became a guide. These "nerd" people (positive meaning) can be a really good guide for some travelers. I am sure they can have deeper knowledge. Moreover, you will get as many offers as possible from locals so that you can pick up the best guide. Moreover, we are considering that the value of guide is not only deep knowledge. The guide's profile such as personality, job background, and interests are also important. I don't remember "Guide" but people who I met and have great conversations. We believe that it is the main value. In terms of value proposition, generally group tour vs personal tour but narrower value proposition is pro guide vs local guide. Moreover reservation vs crowdsourcing. Nobody does crowdsourcing personal local tour guide. > How do you train these guides? How do ensure their quality? At the beginning, we have to define what is the quality of guides for travelers. I don't think giving knowledge is not main quality (or value) on our website. As I said, I believe that type of guide is less value these day. We will not train guides but advise them just to be polite and on time. I would like guide to show their own knowledge and perspective and traveler will review it. Sorry for bad writing. I have to code Thank you again for your comment.
emmasz 11y ago
As a local, I often feel I would like to know more about the place where I live, read and ask historian friends to tell me stuff. But, whenever I would go abroad with some programme where there was a "protocol" guide provided... it was pretty boring. Because he/she would go into so many details I had no connection to. I don't think I would actually pay for a "professional" guide. ... it's just my experience on the subject.
emmasz 11y ago
As a local, I often feel I would like to know more about the place where I live, read and ask historian friends to tell me stuff. But, whenever I would go abroad with some programme where there was a "protocol" guide provided... it was pretty boring. Because he/she would go into so many details I had no connection to. I don't think I would actually pay for a "professional" guide. ... it's just my experience on the subject.

by soneca 11y ago

keioka 11y ago

First of all, thank you for your comment and feedback. I appreciate it. > But my experience is that professional, fulltime guides are much better guides within the arguments you made. Especially about deep knowledge about specific spots. What made you think otherwise? Giving just the general knowledge of placs is less value because travelers can get information through google or Wikipedia. What if a professor of History can be a guide, what if food blogger became a guide. These "nerd" people (positive meaning) can be a really good guide for some travelers. I am sure they can have deeper knowledge. Moreover, you will get as many offers as possible from locals so that you can pick up the best guide. Moreover, we are considering that the value of guide is not only deep knowledge. The guide's profile such as personality, job background, and interests are also important. I don't remember "Guide" but people who I met and have great conversations. We believe that it is the main value. In terms of value proposition, generally group tour vs personal tour but narrower value proposition is pro guide vs local guide. Moreover reservation vs crowdsourcing. Nobody does crowdsourcing personal local tour guide. > How do you train these guides? How do ensure their quality? At the beginning, we have to define what is the quality of guides for travelers. I don't think giving knowledge is not main quality (or value) on our website. As I said, I believe that type of guide is less value these day. We will not train guides but advise them just to be polite and on time. I would like guide to show their own knowledge and perspective and traveler will review it. Sorry for bad writing. I have to code Thank you again for your comment.

emmasz 11y ago

As a local, I often feel I would like to know more about the place where I live, read and ask historian friends to tell me stuff. But, whenever I would go abroad with some programme where there was a "protocol" guide provided... it was pretty boring. Because he/she would go into so many details I had no connection to. I don't think I would actually pay for a "professional" guide. ... it's just my experience on the subject.

emmasz 11y ago