Seville’s official tourist guide associations, which are currently in the process of defining agreements and criteria to be included in recently created Board of Tourist Guides, plan to request the local tourist board to take steps against one of the segment’s main concerns, that is, the unfair competition of a large number of pirate operators.
In a declaration made to Europa Press, the president of the Tourist Guide Association of Seville, Isabel Puerto, speaking in the name of the local industry’s three associations – Tourist Guide Asscoiation of Seville (APIT), Official Tourist Guide Association (AGOT), and the Unitary Association of Tourist Guides (AUITS), stressed the how “incredible” the situation had become.
“Everything was basically under control. Although there were a number of pirate operators, the problem was not so visible. Now it is indignant,” Puerto said, before adding: “It’s now practically possible to say that there are now more pirate operators than official guides, the chief problem being that we can’t report them because we’re unable to prove that they are practising the profession continuously for monetary gain.”
The president of Seville’s tourist guides indicated that the profession both understands and excepts that teachers can offer explanations to their students on school outings about certain monuments, but, for instance, that language school teachers offer their students guided tours of the city without restrictions is another kettle of fish.
Puerto complained about situations such as a lottery seller explaining the monuments in the Plaza de España to people on the tourist buses, as has happened a short while ago.
Hence, she indicated local politicians should show willingness to protect the profession, which is dedicated to showcasing the city’s heritage. “All have got on the bandwagon of quality tourism,” Puerta explained, “but no-one seems to acknowledge the importance of our profession, which, for instance, can play an important part in encouraging tourists to return.”
Last but not least, the president of the city’s tourist guides highlighted the positive attitude adopted by local tourist board in the preliminary round of negotiations being conducted within the framework of the Board of Tourist Guides.
