So, from the previous article we have learned that tourist activity in France is quite heavily regulated. All its representatives can be divided into three main groups:
1) Guides without licenses.
In Paris, it is said that only the laziest person has not tried his hand at being a tour guide or transportation. And this, however regrettable, is not far from the truth. It was especially noticeable in the period from 2010 to 2014 (that is, before the last ruble appreciation), when demand exceeded supply, and those who tried to improvise themselves as tourism workers, too, had enough work. Since then, there have been many pseudo-guides and transport operators, whose ads dot the Internet, and who offer prices beyond any competition. Pros of guides without licenses:
– Cheap (ah, how sweet that sounds!). Minuses of guides without licenses:
– low level of knowledge
– low quality of presentation of material
– impossibility to lead tours in national museums (at least openly, without hiding)
– no possibility to complain and get a refund in case of a claim
– no transport license and insurance – risk for passengers and luggage
2) Private licensed tour guides.
At once I would like to specify – the concepts of “Private Guide” and “Licensed Guide” are not synonymous, although they can be combined. Many licensed guides work under contract in excursion or tour companies, or even directly in museums (Louvre, Orsay, Picasso Museum, etc.) and feel great. To be honest, until recently, guides with licenses preferred this type of cooperation, which saved them the hassle of finding tourists. But after the crisis of 2014, all the subsequent tragic events in Paris and as a consequence – a decrease in the flow of tourists and the bankruptcy of 8 out of 10 travel agencies in Paris, working with Russian-speaking clients, many of the guides lost their employers and were forced to go to the vastness of the Internet in search of clients. Often licensed guides use the services of official transportation companies, although many now in order to save money take tourists in personal cars, which in principle is prohibited. Pros of private licensed guides:
– experience and knowledge of the material
– the ability to lead tours everywhere
– the ability to conduct tourists without queuing
– the availability of interesting, non-standard programs
– moderate rates Minuses of private licensed guides:
– not always available. If another reservation is already taken – forced to refuse
– there is always a risk that the guide will not like it, and to change it will not be possible
– mostly narrow focus (only excursions and transportation)
– frequent problems with reimbursement of payment in case of cancellation of services.
3) Tourist (excursion) companies.
We are talking only about those firms that are located on the territory of France and work without intermediaries. This was once the backbone of the Paris tourist market. Today there are only the best ones left, those who have managed to adapt to new conditions, reduce the costs of operation and as a consequence – lower prices without losing quality. In the staff of such companies by definition can be only guides and transport operators with licenses because no one wants to risk their reputation in front of clients. In addition, many private guides and carriers are happy to cooperate with such firms providing services as subcontractors for individual requests. Pros of tour companies:
– all the advantages of licensed guides and transportation
– wide range of services (from excursions and transfers, to ticket and restaurant reservations)
– constant information support for tourists
– the ability to issue invoices for accounting
– convenient cancellation terms and guaranteed reimbursement of payment
– the ability to serve large groups or several groups at the same time with a change of guides or drivers if necessary Minuses of tour companies:
– rates are slightly higher than private guides, though not always
In the next article expect practical tips on how to find a good guide in Paris. Continued next…
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