Aquila’s Guide Excellence Program

A three-day training program for tour guides, the single most important factor in the guest experience

Tour Guides are the single most important factor in the guest experience. Their performance affects not just the guest experience on a particular tour, but also the reputation of the destination as a whole, as an encounter with a tour guide leaves the most lasting impression of a destination. To meet the increasing expectations of the cruise lines, no destination can afford to have guides who are any less than excellent.

Aquila’s Guide Excellence Program involves a two-day tour guide training program, followed by a written examination to test participants on practical knowledge. Certification is attained upon successful completion of the exam and an on-the-job evaluation. The training program includes a workbook that combines information to study with exercises for each lesson, and lesson topics include:

• Tourism Awareness
  
• Professionalism
  
• General Knowledge
  
• Presentation Skills
  
• Procedures
  
• Problem Solving

Customized for your destination, the Guide Excellence training program is available to Tour Operators and Destinations, and the program will:

• cover standard tour guide topics
  
• include specific topics that are relevant to your unique situation
  
• provide coaching by industry experts

This program can also include an additional comprehensive “Train the Trainer” component, so future training could be managed directly by the destination, ensuring sustainability of the level of Guide Excellence.