Tour Guide - Rebecca Zhang

Starting from the very beginning until now, I have been in the travel business for almost 16 years. At first, after graduate from college, I chose to be an English teacher in a vocational tourism school because I thought there was a lot I could learn from school and I made great efforts to learn about the travel business. I enjoyed not only teaching but learning at school; however, I did not get many chances to practice myself in school, only empty talks to students. So in 2002, I decided to work for a travel agency as an English tour guide.

Through the years, I have welcomed more than 750 groups from all over the world. I learnt a lot from the tourists, and my English had improved a great deal. I treat my guests like my friends, no matter who they are and where they come from; no matter they are in a big group or arriving as individual tourists. Sharing my knowledge with my clients is a great pleasure. I never get tired of introducing myself, my hometown, or our great culture to them. Sometimes we keep in touch with each other by e-mail, and those who return to China will often choose me as their tour guide once again. They have greatly encouraged me to do my job well.

As a guide, I always try to have the trips tailor-made, being flexible and friendly all the time. In past, when my clients felt sick or even been hospitalized, I have looked after them as if they were family. I have been able to assist the doctor and nurses with translation, help my clients to get in touch with their insurance company and their families, to rearrange the air tickets and so on. On the whole, their satisfaction is my greatest concern.

Personally, I also have a great passion for travel, the desire to see the world with my own eyes, and to share my experience with my dear clients. I firmly believe life without traveling is like reading only the first page of a book. To date, I have been to 10 countries. While I would not dare to say I have great knowledge, I like to think that I know a little about everything, and that I can provide my clients with the up-to-date information that will make their trips as smooth and pleasant as possible. As a guide, I always keep on reading and learning, paying attention to the news around the world and information on tourism, and I recently passed an exam to become a senior English-speaking guide.

In short, I believe that my educational background, work experience and willing personality will guarantee me as an excellent tour guide.