Tourist guiding

A recent discussion show on television was intended to discuss the recent 'guiding incident' which was given wide coverage by the media.

Both sides agreed on most items discussed. Joe Grima decided to enliven the discussion by denying that tourist guiding is a profession.

Students who wish to attend a course in guiding have to present their qualifications and those who qualify have to sit for an interview and the selected few have to undergo a two-year course in tourist guiding, approached holistically. Various subjects are treated which include languages, theory and practice.

This ends in a full-time paid occupation that requires advanced education and training. This is what is called a 'profession'. The result is long hours at school, research and heavy study at home.

Years ago, cab drivers, postcard sellers, coach drivers and anybody who thought that he could do the job, handed the tourist history tales savoured with legendary and imaginary stories. Happily, those days are over.