Topic 74 Is it better to travel with a tour guide?

Traveling is one of the most widely enjoyed recreations. The tourist business is

becoming increasingly important for many countries' economies and provides a

great variety of products and services. People are different and so are their

preferences when it comes to spending a vacation traveling to interesting and

exotic places. One of the first choices one should make when planning a trip is

whether it would be individual or with a group let by a tour guide. If it were up

to me, I would go to an excursion as a part of a tourist group.

First of all, a common problem of people traveling abroad is the unfamiliar

language of the country they are visiting. This is a major inconvenience as it

could hamper their communication and prevent them from learning valuable

things about the place. That's why I think that a tour guide, who in most cases

knows at least two languages, would be needed. This is a professional whose

job includes guidance and help. Also tour guides tell tourists about the history

of the place they are visiting, information which otherwise could hardly be

obtained.

Second, group journeys are supposed to be previously organized. The travel

agency makes the full program of the trip: hotel reservations, transportation,

food, and sightseeing. Furthermore, many services and museum taxes are

cheaper for a whole group. In this way, tourists are much more comfortable, as

they safe time and money, and are able to enjoy their vacation without worrying

about anything.

Third, traveling in a group can provide people the opportunity to get to know

with many other tourists who are from different backgrounds but are brought

together by their common interest of the place they are visiting. Such group

trips are a great chance for making new friendships and eventually learning a

lot about different people.

For all these reasons, I prefer to travel in a group with a tour guide, as it would

guarantee a more convenient and enjoyable journey.

Topic 74 Is it better to travel with a tour guide?

When people are asked to list their hobbies, travel is among the most frequent

words quoted. Some would choose to travel by themselves alone, some others

prefer to traveling with a few close friends or family members; while still

others, including myself, agree that the best way to travel is to join in a group

led by a tour guide.

A good tour guide, who has professional knowledge and rich experiences about

certain places, would make our journey more efficient and enjoyable. Traveling

to new places is an important way to know our world in the perspectives of

cultural diversity and geographic peculiarities. However, we often find

ourselves confounded and do not know what to do next when we are in a new

place. A tour guide may help us to arrange the optimum itineraries and

schedules. He leads the group around to show us unique tourist spots that we

should not miss. His explanation on certain scenic spots is also useful for us to

understand further about the new place.

Besides, a tour guide would ensure the maximal security of the group member.

Tourists are always warned against the potential risks ant pitfall, since strangers

are easily attacked. An experienced tour guide teaches his tourists some tips

and skills to guarantee the security. The tour guide is particularly indispensable

in any emergencies, as he can make a timely response and right decisions.

A tour guide, besides his training and knowledge, is also a person with a good

sense of humor. Far away from our friends and families, tourists often feel

lonely sometimes during the journey, especially when on the way to a new

destination. A good tour guide are skillful enough to relieve the loneliness by

telling jokes and interesting stories, playing magic tricks, and so on, which

make the journey joyful and pleasant.