ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to examine the role of the tour guide in the interpretation of place and its associated history, heritage and peoples to visitors. The stories they tell, the manner in which perceived facts are filtered, communicated or silenced—all become important in creating image, knowledge and affective response on the part of the visitor. Their skills are key to many of the understandings held by visitors about a place during and after their visit. Consequently the chapter is divided into the following sections. First, it notes the growth in the numbers of guides working in China and briefly notes their characteristics. Second, it identifies issues that might be found in interpretations offered by guides. Next it discusses the cultural context within which guides work and which may influence the stories told and the manner of the telling. From this the authors then propose a series of principles that can inform the work of guides before summarizing and ending with concluding comments.
