One of Samoa’s first professional tour guides has recommended colleagues use the state of emergency (S.O.E.) lockdown to do more research and learn about Samoa’s history and flora and fauna.

Tupaemanaia Steve Brown, whose company Eco Tour Samoa published a guide on hikes and walks around 30 years ago, told Samoa Observer in an interview that the lockdown is a good opportunity for tour guides to add to their knowledge of Samoa by learning more about the country.

“Right now, we need tour guides who know our community well. The tour guides can use the lock down period to their advantage by doing research on every tourist attraction in Samoa, they should know their product,” he said.

“Not all the tour guides know the different birds, not all know about the different trails, the Uafato bird high trail or even the beaches in Samoa.”

Tupaemanaia said every tourist attraction in Samoa has a story and they should know the story in order to attract more visitors.

“There are many hidden stories behind every tourist attraction and as a tour guide they are to know everything that could attract more people, hence why they should use these times to do their research,” he said.

Possessing good communication skills is also important for tour guides, according to Tupaemanaia.

“The best trait a tour guide should have is a good communicator, should be passionate and knows how to take care of the people whom he’s guiding.”

The tour guide profession, added Tupaemanaia, is for people who have that passion to research and dig deep into issues that would be of interest to their guests. 

“Tour guides need to look after the people whom he's guiding, making sure that after their trip a person should have a take home message,” he said.