The soul of travel: this is how the Europamundo team of guides prepares

Coordinated from headquarters, the training, monitoring, and daily support provided by the Guide Department is key to ensuring a quality experience consistent with the company's values.

We spoke with Marisol Amo, head of the department, to learn how the team is preparing for the new season, what new training programs are being implemented, and how the role of the guide is evolving in the current tourism landscape.

How has the team prepared for this new season?

The preparation has been intense. This March, for example, we held a welcome course in Madrid for 48 new guides, with three full days of training covering everything from logistics and company philosophy to team dynamics.

We also organized our annual online guide meeting in April, with more than 300 attendees connecting from around the world. We also strengthened ongoing training with dedicated in-office sessions for more than 20 active guides.

Who is part of the team that coordinates the guides from the office?

The work we do would be impossible without the daily commitment of the entire Guías Oficina team, made up of Maricel Abarzúa, Silvia García, Patricia Gómez, Luis Carlos Nieto, Berta Barona, and Sara Reñasco. We provide support to each guide, organize training sessions, resolve incidents, coordinate itineraries, and are available 24/7 during peak season. We are a close-knit team and feel part of the journey, even if we're in Madrid.

What new training developments would you highlight this year?

We're launching new specialized masterclasses, where expert guides share historical and cultural content about the destinations they know best. We've also expanded the creation of operational tutorials, which are very useful for explaining the tour day-to-day from field experience.

Additionally, and as part of Europamundo's multilingual and global approach, a Portuguese course for guides was also offered during the off-season, thus strengthening its service to the Brazilian public.

In addition, we are strengthening the mentor guide program, a key figure in supporting those who are joining or changing areas, both from a practical and human perspective.

Which destinations have been the focus of training recently?

This season, Maricel Abarzúa, head of Other Destinations, has personally led in-person field training in Japan, South Korea, and the United States, in direct contact with local teams and guides operating in these regions. Training activities are also planned for the near future in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, in line with the growth and diversification of these destinations within our program.

What role does diversity play within the team of guides?

This is one of our greatest distinguishing features. We have a global team, comprised of guides of different nationalities, languages, and cultural backgrounds. This year, we have also added a greater number of local and native English-speaking guides to various Europamundo destinations, allowing us to better connect with our travelers and adapt more precisely to the needs of different markets.

What labor improvements have been introduced?

In addition to a salary increase and improved benefits, we've opened new lines of work, such as CAM trips and experiential itineraries, and incorporated value-added options, such as culinary activities on regional tours.

What is the main objective of the guides area for this season?

Continue taking care of our team and offering them tools to continue growing professionally. Because when our guides are good, travelers feel it. And because we firmly believe that a good guide transforms a trip into an unforgettable experience.

And yes, we say it with pride: WE HAVE THE BEST GUIDES IN THE WORLD.

More information at: www.europamundo.com

Source: Europamundo Vacaciones.