After having described the current situation of tourism entertainment and the problematics and prejudices as consequence due to this situation for a proper consideration of this profession, in this last part the key aspects (from my point of view) that are necessary for a professional realisation of tourism entertainment will be pointed out.
Considering these will serve hoteliers and other tourism professionals, who contemplate including the service of tourism animation in their establishment as those who wish to improve the existing service in theirs. This article also serves as a guide to future candidates, who would like to work as entertainer, because information about this profession still is rather low.
On many occasions over the years working as tourist entertainer I found the following situation: the underestimation of what the profession as animateur requires in order to realize it professionally. Most of those who start working as an animateur think it consists in making party all the time.
Doubtlessly working as an entertainer goes along with many pleasant moments, laughter and a positive environment. However we must not forget that it requires a continuous follow-up of different tasks, in order to create and maintaine this environment. An entertainer has to know how to develop dynamics to create a friendly environment that involve as well as individually travelling guests as well as groups in different activities, without giving the impression of being annoying.
If we also note that hotel guests usually are from different parts of the world, this is not always easy to do, since preferences, humor, etiquette etc. may vary.
Therefore it is important for an entertainer to learn and dominate certain techniques to be considered and accepted as a “mediator”, who not only creates moments of fun, but also know how to build bridges between people. There are very important abilities an entertainer has to develop and applicate for a professional realization, which are:
1. Organizational Skills
A professionally developed program provides a multitude of activities, which apart from it’s realization requires a careful organization as to distribute spaces for activities, rehearsals, moments of rest, continuous control and foreseeing purchase of material for activities etc.
It’s not only games that should be known and organized, but also sport and cultural activities, dance classes, language lessons, crafts, shows and dances for the evening shows etc.
These activities are to be prepared and implemented differently for adults and children, which is obvious. It not only requires knowledge of how to perform each of the activities, but also doing it with responsibility and creativity to prevent injury or discomfort and provide entertaining moments.
2. Public Relations
It is one of the most important aspects for a tourist entertainer. The rapport established with the tourists is essential and makes the difference between a good product and an outstanding product. It is the animateur who must continually seek contact with tourists, always greeting, spending some time with them, listening to them and giving any information of interest about the hotel or region.
A positive contact from the beginning is very important not only for the entertainer, but for the whole hotel. It is often the entertainer - if working professionally - who gets the vast majority of comments on the various services provided by the hotel: attention at the reception, housekeeping, food quality and so on. And in case of complaints from tourists it is much easier to remedy and thus get tourist satisfaction and avoid a possible claim. Or to find out things like anniversaries, honeymoon or birthdays and have little details with them are things that make the difference.
It is hence very important for an entertainer to be an excellent public relations.
3. Pedagogical skills
There are several activities that require pedagogical knowledge, especially those aimed at adolescents and children. Do not forget the enormous responsibility that comes with each of these activities, since parents rely on the fact that their children will be well cared and monitored by the entertainers. It is therefore essential to be attentive at all times to ensure the welfare of each child or adolescent. It is a must to have a person with pedagogical skills in these positions, in order to meet the exigencies. Everyone who has been with a group of children, definitely comprehends this.
Depending on where you may work as animateur you will find more or less possibilities and limitations to work with, creating and developing a program of activities with objectives to be determined in communication with the hotel management. You can achieve a lot, even more than expected, especially if the animation team brings together two key elements:
Creativity and innovation.
These two key elements ensure continuous improvement of activities and animation projects, since they prevent repetitive activities or entertainment that is limited to certain games or contests. Having a sophisticated animation program does not require large investments and much effort to change some things, maintaining most of the activities. It’s important to keep alive the creativity of animateurs and highly advisable to change the entertainment program for each new season.
The entertainer should be an allrounder and - after gaining experience and dominating the different techniques and functions important to this profession - continue with further training, looking for new activities and techniques. A versatile animateur who can dance, work with adults and children, offer even more exotic activities ( for example diving, mountain biking, skydiving) etc., has much more options and is more flexible creating a good entertainment program than one who knows only recreational games. The entertainer should be all the time using creativity, testing and proposing new games and recreational and cultural activities.
We can continue with the approach, which is being applied to the present day, in looking for people who can speak two or three languages and are looking for an adventure of a few months being more focused on parties in outstanding sun and beach holiday destinations than on work.
But if a hotel is looking for a professional service and sustainable tourist animation, you must change the mentality. Not only professional entertainers have to be employed, but also provided with the necessary facilities to design a varied and attractive program. With small investments and the support of the technical service and other hotel departments, a lot can be achieved.
Similarly, if you consider working as an entertainer for longer than a summer season and with a professional approach, you should have in mind that it is very rewarding, but it is a job, that requires much more than what is generally thought to carry it out responsibly and professionally.
If you wish to read another article about Tourism Entertainment, please click on one of the following Links:
Tourism Entertainment - Part 3
Tourism Entertainment
Part 3 - The entertainer
After having described the current situation of tourism entertainment and the problematics and prejudices as consequence due to this situation for a proper consideration of this profession, in this last part the key aspects (from my point of view) that are necessary for a professional realisation of tourism entertainment will be pointed out.
Considering these will serve hoteliers and other tourism professionals, who contemplate including the service of tourism animation in their establishment as those who wish to improve the existing service in theirs. This article also serves as a guide to future candidates, who would like to work as entertainer, because information about this profession still is rather low.
On many occasions over the years working as tourist entertainer I found the following situation: the underestimation of what the profession as animateur requires in order to realize it professionally. Most of those who start working as an animateur think it consists in making party all the time.
Doubtlessly working as an entertainer goes along with many pleasant moments, laughter and a positive environment. However we must not forget that it requires a continuous follow-up of different tasks, in order to create and maintaine this environment. An entertainer has to know how to develop dynamics to create a friendly environment that involve as well as individually travelling guests as well as groups in different activities, without giving the impression of being annoying.
If we also note that hotel guests usually are from different parts of the world, this is not always easy to do, since preferences, humor, etiquette etc. may vary.
Therefore it is important for an entertainer to learn and dominate certain techniques to be considered and accepted as a “mediator”, who not only creates moments of fun, but also know how to build bridges between people. There are very important abilities an entertainer has to develop and applicate for a professional realization, which are:
1. Organizational Skills
A professionally developed program provides a multitude of activities, which apart from it’s realization requires a careful organization as to distribute spaces for activities, rehearsals, moments of rest, continuous control and foreseeing purchase of material for activities etc.
It’s not only games that should be known and organized, but also sport and cultural activities, dance classes, language lessons, crafts, shows and dances for the evening shows etc.
These activities are to be prepared and implemented differently for adults and children, which is obvious. It not only requires knowledge of how to perform each of the activities, but also doing it with responsibility and creativity to prevent injury or discomfort and provide entertaining moments.
2. Public Relations
It is one of the most important aspects for a tourist entertainer. The rapport established with the tourists is essential and makes the difference between a good product and an outstanding product. It is the animateur who must continually seek contact with tourists, always greeting, spending some time with them, listening to them and giving any information of interest about the hotel or region.
A positive contact from the beginning is very important not only for the entertainer, but for the whole hotel. It is often the entertainer - if working professionally - who gets the vast majority of comments on the various services provided by the hotel: attention at the reception, housekeeping, food quality and so on. And in case of complaints from tourists it is much easier to remedy and thus get tourist satisfaction and avoid a possible claim. Or to find out things like anniversaries, honeymoon or birthdays and have little details with them are things that make the difference.
It is hence very important for an entertainer to be an excellent public relations.
3. Pedagogical skills
There are several activities that require pedagogical knowledge, especially those aimed at adolescents and children. Do not forget the enormous responsibility that comes with each of these activities, since parents rely on the fact that their children will be well cared and monitored by the entertainers. It is therefore essential to be attentive at all times to ensure the welfare of each child or adolescent. It is a must to have a person with pedagogical skills in these positions, in order to meet the exigencies. Everyone who has been with a group of children, definitely comprehends this.
Depending on where you may work as animateur you will find more or less possibilities and limitations to work with, creating and developing a program of activities with objectives to be determined in communication with the hotel management. You can achieve a lot, even more than expected, especially if the animation team brings together two key elements:
Creativity and innovation.
These two key elements ensure continuous improvement of activities and animation projects, since they prevent repetitive activities or entertainment that is limited to certain games or contests. Having a sophisticated animation program does not require large investments and much effort to change some things, maintaining most of the activities. It’s important to keep alive the creativity of animateurs and highly advisable to change the entertainment program for each new season.
The entertainer should be an allrounder and - after gaining experience and dominating the different techniques and functions important to this profession - continue with further training, looking for new activities and techniques. A versatile animateur who can dance, work with adults and children, offer even more exotic activities ( for example diving, mountain biking, skydiving) etc., has much more options and is more flexible creating a good entertainment program than one who knows only recreational games. The entertainer should be all the time using creativity, testing and proposing new games and recreational and cultural activities.
We can continue with the approach, which is being applied to the present day, in looking for people who can speak two or three languages and are looking for an adventure of a few months being more focused on parties in outstanding sun and beach holiday destinations than on work.
But if a hotel is looking for a professional service and sustainable tourist animation, you must change the mentality. Not only professional entertainers have to be employed, but also provided with the necessary facilities to design a varied and attractive program. With small investments and the support of the technical service and other hotel departments, a lot can be achieved.
Similarly, if you consider working as an entertainer for longer than a summer season and with a professional approach, you should have in mind that it is very rewarding, but it is a job, that requires much more than what is generally thought to carry it out responsibly and professionally.
If you wish to read another article about Tourism Entertainment, please click on one of the following Links:
Part 1 - - - - - Part 2
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