Author Thomas Maurer and Guide Thana FriedhoffTour guides play an essential role in the success of a trip and are an extension of the services of the travel agent which is why DTH Travel is raising the bar even higher when it comes to training their guides. For travel agents, booking on-ground services through DTH Travel has a clear advantage - access to innovative and authentic tours with top trained guides - providing agents with the assurance that their customers will be in great hands.
“DTH guides are the face of the brand and represent the travel agent partners with whom they’ve booked. We don’t take that lightly, we understand that our knowledge and capability to connect with guests shapes the entire travel experience,” explains Stephan Roemer, CEO - DTH Travel.
DTH Travel’s commitment to this is reflected in its long-running Tour Guide Academy and annual training program for all guides in DTH Travel's 14 Asian destinations, including Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
Going a step further this year, the launch of The Essential Tour Guide Handbook, by DTH co-founder Thomas Maurer, reinforces the company’s ongoing focus to improve professional standards and service. Thomas is a former guide with over two decades of experience in the travel industry having worked extensively across Asia and Europe.
The new Handbook covers a wide range of topics including intercultural communication, guest needs, accessibility, leadership, and professionalism. Distributed in print to all DTH guides, the handbook has already been recognised as one of the most comprehensive resources available to guides.
Sustainability begins with people, and both the Academy and new Handbook are designed to adapt to the evolving travel landscape and changes in consumer behaviour. To ensure the best travel experiences, DTH guides are being trained to host the new traveller of today.
“The Academy is more than just training for us guides - we feel valued, always stay up to date, and can offer our guests a truly in-depth travel experience. The new book is a practical tool that really helps us in our everyday work,” said Thana Friedhoff, one of DTH Travel’s tour guides in Thailand.
“It is so important that we meet travellers' expanding expectations. Our guides are trained to meet the demands of more adventurous and curious travellers who seek more authentic and local experiences and want to travel more meaningfully and sustainably. Guides not only impart knowledge, but also open doors to the cultures and histories of Asia,” added Roemer.
Continually investing heavily in its people, DTH Travel believes that tour guides are an extension of travel agents, and is proud to help UK/Irish agents deliver seamless, quality travel experiences across Asia.
