Have you ever wondered what the world of city guides looks like? Tour guiding is a profession that is not new; it has been practiced since ancient times. Even back then, guides were used in various forms to show interesting places to strangers. Today, tour guiding is still an omnipresent activity in the tourism industry, and the services of guides are offered in numerous destinations. German city marketing companies earn around 50% of their revenue from city tours, mostly with booked tour guides during the season.
A Profession on the Fringe of Science
Surprisingly, this profession has largely remained on the fringe of scientific investigation, with only a few available publications on the subject (Best 2012; Cohen 1985; Fine and Speer 1985; Holloway 1981). Existing books mostly focus on practical instructions for the daily work of guides (Levy 2002; Pond 1993).
In this regard, Jonathan R. Wynn's book on the work of tour guides in New York City is a very welcome contribution. Wynn focuses on the activities of city guides, having participated in over 150 hours of tours, conducted more than 200 hours of interviews with guides before and after tours, and followed the recommendations of multi-sited ethnography (Marcus 1995) by observing the events. In this way, Wynn develops an understanding of what guides do, why and how they do it, and the challenges they face. Wynn's book is the first of its kind to address tour guiding and covers a wide range of macro and micro-sociological factors that shape the work of guides.
The Context of Tour Guides in New York City
Wynn begins by placing the city guiding profession in New York City within its social and historical context. While tours have been studied before, the aspects of the role of guides outside of the guided tours have been neglected. These include the communities to which the guides belong and how the development of neighborhoods offers new themes for the tours. Wynn shows how guides identify with their role and career—a role that can sometimes be confusing and unappreciated but also fulfilling and liberating.
Additionally, he shows how New York guides resist exams and the professionalization of their work because they believe it would affect their freedom and creativity. In Central Europe, for example, the opposite is true. Here, guides can only practice with certification, which ensures professionalism and quality.
Challenges and Tricks of the Trade
Wynn provides interesting case studies and counterarguments to some significant debates in the field of management, such as identity work in the cultural and creative industries (Drake 2003; Hesmondhalgh and Baker 2011; Petkus 1996) and the increasing professionalization of jobs previously considered simple (Jacobs and Bosanac 2006). By embedding these guides in their broader social context, Wynn not only focuses on the tours themselves but also opens up the possibility of exploring previously neglected life worlds. He shows that they have much in common with other service professions, educational tourism, entertainment, and cultural activities.
The Art of Guiding
Naturally, Wynn also addresses the tours themselves. In line with ethnographic studies of professions (Allison 1994; Davis 1959; Hamper 1992), Wynn creates various typologies to illustrate important features of the work. For example, he shows how guides and groups can be arranged on the street depending on the flow of people, traffic, and urban landscape (in a circle, in a line). He identifies different types of listeners (the child, the fan, the connoisseur) and describes some of the reactions guides use to deal with these different types. He highlights seven "tricks of the trade" that guides use to create a perfect tour (jokes, surprising twists in the story, pauses for contemplation, etc.).
Conclusion
Despite some criticisms, Wynn's work is an interesting and useful study that provides a deep insight into the world of city guides. His passion for the subject makes the book an enjoyable and enriching read. If you want to learn more about the fascinating work of tour guides, this book is an excellent starting point.
Sources: Wynn, J. (2011). The Tour Guide. Walking and Talking New York. University of Chicago Press.
