It is great to know that despite Covid - 19 epidemic, tourism enthusiasts remain undaunted and hopeful. This was the character depicted at the tourism and tour guide training at Epe in Lagos State.
The training was an eye opener for those who attended the program. Many showed interest but due to covid - 19, some applications were kept pending for the next training. It was a unique training because of the present situation the world is experiencing due to the effect of covid - 19 epidemic. Social distancing, and the use of face masks were enforced during the training. Hand sanitizers were provided and the numbers of participants were restricted which did not go well with those who were not allowed to participate. The participants were determined by the basis of "first to register".
One of the purpose of the training was for the participants to key into the domestic tourism potentials of Nigeria as a foundation for different packages aimed at attracting local tourists, and international tourists after covid - 19. There is the need to know "how to attend to visitors" after discovering the important attractions and heritages in the community.
This training was an expository into the role of a tour guide in tourist destination development. There is the need for training and retraining in every tourist destination. The importance of tourism and tourist guides need to be constantly flaunted for public, community and government appreciation.
The role of the tour guide is the most important in the tourism hierarchy and this is acknowledged by great tourist destinations around the world. Israel, Saudi Arabia, U.K, Australia, China, Nepal, India, Borneo, Brazil, Finland, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Poland, Germany, France, U.S.A, etc. recognizes this fact and that is why governments of these nations place them in the position of value and their identity are known and registered. Serious governments do have meetings with select tour guides to collect data or information from them about security and the impression of both local and international visitors about the country.
The position of a tour guide as an ambassador is more important than that of a diplomat. The tour guides are the intermediaries between the tourists and the country. A tour guide can change the impression of a tourist about his country through his or her character and the ability to answer the questions asked by the tourist convincingly well.
Twenty participants were trained during the 3 days tour guide training which took place on the 5th to the 7th of June, 2020 at Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria.
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| Tour Guide students and their trainer, Anago James Akeem Osho |
Despite the absolute effect of covid - 19 on tourism, it still remains the hope of many communities for employment opportunities, nature and heritage conservation, as they work the epidemic to be a thing of the past by practising social distancing and other covid - 19 measures and wish normal activities to resume.
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| During the Tour Guide training at Epe |
Epe is one of the most popular historical towns in Lagos State - Nigeria. The people of the town took advantage of Covid - 19 experience to identify the tourism potentials and attraction sites in their community and the experience was life changing according to the participants.
The training was facilitated by Anago James Akeem Osho Adventures. It was a collaboration between West African Tour Guide Association Nigeria Chapter, National Guild of Nigerian Tour Guides and CNI (Concerned NationsBuilders Initiative), an NGO coordinated by Mr Idris Olukoya.
One of the purpose of the training was for the participants to key into the domestic tourism potentials of Nigeria as a foundation for different packages aimed at attracting local tourists, and international tourists after covid - 19. There is the need to know "how to attend to visitors" after discovering the important attractions and heritages in the community.
This training was an expository into the role of a tour guide in tourist destination development. There is the need for training and retraining in every tourist destination. The importance of tourism and tourist guides need to be constantly flaunted for public, community and government appreciation.
The role of the tour guide is the most important in the tourism hierarchy and this is acknowledged by great tourist destinations around the world. Israel, Saudi Arabia, U.K, Australia, China, Nepal, India, Borneo, Brazil, Finland, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Poland, Germany, France, U.S.A, etc. recognizes this fact and that is why governments of these nations place them in the position of value and their identity are known and registered. Serious governments do have meetings with select tour guides to collect data or information from them about security and the impression of both local and international visitors about the country.
The position of a tour guide as an ambassador is more important than that of a diplomat. The tour guides are the intermediaries between the tourists and the country. A tour guide can change the impression of a tourist about his country through his or her character and the ability to answer the questions asked by the tourist convincingly well.
Twenty participants were trained during the 3 days tour guide training which took place on the 5th to the 7th of June, 2020 at Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria.