A majority of foreign tourists to Iran are experienced travelers, which makes it necessary for tour guides to update their knowledge and gain considerable expertise.
According to Ali Sadrnia, the head of Iran Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, the average age of foreign travelers to Iran is between 65 and 70 years, a majority of whom have visited around 40 countries.
"Therefore, tour guides need greater and more up-to-date knowledge and public relations skills compared to leaders in other countries," he said in a press conference for the International Tourist Guide Day (Feb. 21) that will be observed in Iran on Feb. 25, IRNA reported.
Besides, Iranian tour leaders have multiple responsibilities, including making reservations for restaurants, hospitals and other amenities.
"Iranian guides are among the best in the world, because they offer 24-hour services to tourists," the official said.
Due the difficulty of the leaders' work, special attention has been given to their payment in recent years.
They are now paid 3 million rials ($64) per day for inbound tours, which is 10% higher for special languages.
"This is while a senior leader's wage was 300,000 rials ($7) per day five years ago," Sadrnia said.
Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization is entitled to determine tour guides' wage but conventionally, the organization allows the private sector to agree on an amount based on their studies and consultation.
--Int'l Tourist Guide Day
The International Tourist Guide Day is an initiative of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations held annually on Feb. 21.
Local communities organize various plans to mark the day such as conducting tours for disabled and disadvantaged persons or children, allowing free entry to monuments and museums and holding conferences and retraining courses.
In Iran, a national conference has been scheduled for Feb. 25 in the Holy Defense Museum of Tehran.
"The primary purpose of the event is to help link tour guides with officials," Sadrnia said.
Tour leaders will get an opportunity to discuss their problems and suggestions directly with those in charge.
Grigor Ghazarian, the administrator of the upcoming event, said the conference is aimed at "introducing the role of tour guides to the public and enhancing the quality of IFTGA's operations".
The Holy Defense Museum has been selected as the venue to promote the concept of peace.
A training tour to a Health Village in Shahriar County has also been organized for the day to publicize health tourism.
Ghazarian regretted the lack of education in the tourism community.
"Only 25% of the people involved in the industry have been adequately trained to extend proper services to tourists," he said, referring to it as a strategic shortcoming.
The Iran Federation of Tourist Guide Associations was established in 2004. There are about 12,000 guides in the country, of which only 2,000 are active and semi-active. Some 800 are members of IFTGA.
