Apart from various travelogues, road maps and
adequate research, exploring an entirely new or unknown place also
demands a tourist guide. As the name suggests, a tourist guide or a tour
guide is someone who guides visitors and interprets the historical,
cultural and natural heritage of the place to them. Sometimes, tourist
guides are locals or natives of the place and hence help you discover
places that elude travel magazines and even the citations in tourist
maps. So, if you are planning a trip to Madhya Pradesh, it is better to
hire a tourist guide who will escort you throughout your journey and
will also help you see the place in new lights. Check out these tips
before you hire a travel companion, to ensure you are not hoodwinked or
misguided.
If possible, pick a tourist guide who holds a license number and
has registered with the Government. They are more dependable and
generally charge reasonable fee, as compared to the private guides.
Unaccompanied females must be extra careful before they hire a
guide.
Always make sure that you fix the fee of the entire guided tour
in advance. All the financial negotiations should be done before you
start the tour. It will ensure that the guide does not try to
swindle you or charge unreasonable fee afterwards.
Generally, it is recommendable that you provide a well-deserved
tip to the guide, if you are satisfied with his job. This is however
not mandatory. Also, see that you do not go overboard with the
generosity and provide a hefty or extravagant tip.
To be on the safe side, it is recommended that you do not entrust
your valuables (like handy-cams, jewelry and cash) to the tourist
guide. He might misuse your expensive items, and in worst cases,
trick you and run away with them.
Make sure that you are pleasant, but not overfriendly. Avoid
being haughty or rude, but do not drop down the professional
relation. Never disclose too much personal information that is
unnecessary and irrelevant. It might lead you to grave trouble.
Lastly, do not make an exhibition of your expensive belongings
(like jewelry or cash) in front of the guide. Such conditions
generally make you more vulnerable to avoidable threats and dangers.