Author by : Debra Asberry

Should there be a tour leader on every group tour? It may seem like a pointless question, but I’m often asked this, especially on international trips when a local guide also accompanies our tour group. Why two “tour leaders?” While having a tour leader and a local guide might seem redundant, each individual has different responsibilities. The local guide knows the language, history, sights, and often manages the time schedule. The tour leader works in partnership with the local guide to manage the flow of the trip, but devotes most of her attention to managing the group dynamics.

I know from personal experience that when a group of individuals (most of whom do not know each other) are brought together for a period of time, conflicting personalities can emerge if not managed. The strong personalities want to lead, the insecure withdraw, the needy seek attention, and the self-centered disregard the feeling of others. Imagine traveling with a group where these personalities are not managed. The end result could be a disaster.

Hazel Warlaumont, a professor of communication at Cal State Fullerton and the University of Washington, has written an article on the subject of group dynamics in group travel. She states: “With a helpful tour [leader], tension can be alleviated and even prevented through effective leadership and establishing a protocol for touring. In most cases, this happens right away, allowing the group to pass into… the emergence phase of the trip where members begin to feel harmony. Potential problematic members have backed down, sensing the disapproval and counter productiveness of their behaviors or attitudes, leading the group into the final or reinforcement stage. At this point, members bolster the group experience through favorable comments and positive reinforcement. The spirit of unity pervades and group members are jovial and focused on the purpose of the trip and the travel experience.”

Managing group dynamics in a positive way is the critical factor between a great tour leader and a merely average one. A tour leader who is trained to handle group dynamics insures the strong personalities in the group do not try to steer the tour, while still seeing that their need for independence is met. The behavior of travelers who are repeatedly late is dealt with swiftly and early on in the trip; the needy traveler can be taken under the wing of the tour leader, and the insecure can be given confidence by the example set by the tour leader. A well-trained group tour leader who understands group dynamics can make the difference between a miserable travel experience or an experience to remember fondly for a lifetime.

As Professor Warlaumont points out, a good tour leader can rapidly unite a group and create a harmonious environment where everyone can have an enjoyable experience.

So next time you take a tour, consider the valuable role a well-trained tour leader plays in the success of your trip.

[tags]Women, Travel, Group Travel, Tour Leader, Tour Guide, Tour Group Dynamics[/tags]

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