'Preparing for LONDON 2012' A Tourist Guiding Perspective

The national professional association for Blue Badge Tourist Guides working throughout the British Isles, including the Isle of Man and Jersey 757 members nationally of which 546 hold the London badge Members offer guiding in 34 different languages

Blue Badge Tourist Guides

The Badge: Owned by the Institute of Tourist Guiding – the standard-setting body for guiding within the UK Awarded following intensive study and vigorous examination

The London Course: 18 months – two evening lectures and one full day practical guiding training per week – over two years Examinations: Written: National/London core knowledge Practical: coach, walk, museum, gallery, major sites

The London Remit: The Greater London region Out-of-town within a day’s journey Coach panoramas Walking tours Major museums and galleries Exclusive: Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London

Qualities: A good communicator, interested in people, and interpreting Britain to them Confident in presenting to large groups in public Flexible, adaptable and able to think quickly Fit, as may be active and responsible for as many as 50 people for up to ten hours Common sense Courtesy A little bit of knowledge helps!

6 July 2005 Success!

An exercise in self-belief!

Blue Badge 2012 Committee Mission: To promote London 2012-related tourist guiding throughout Britain – with an emphasis on London Preceding During Legacy Funding: Guild of Registered Tourist Guides Association of Professional Tourist Guides Institute of Tourist Guiding

2012 Venues Endorsement Course content: History of Ancient Olympics Organizations involved in delivering London 2012 Regeneration of East London History of the Modern Games The Paralympics Tour of East London Olympic sites Tour of the Olympic Park Walking tour Legacy of 2012 Endorsement holders: 350 Blue Badge Guides Final course with a potential for a further 40 holders will run in March

Blue Badge 2012 Committee Public Actions: Lobbying Website Literature Relationship with booking agency Mailouts to educational establishments Olympic Park walk Respond to enquiries Attend briefings Attend trade shows Capitalise on national/global publicity

Blue Badge 2012 Committee Industry Actions: Lobby agencies Regular information up-dates for agencies and guides Provide comprehensive educational programme for guides

Blue Badge 2012 Committee Achievements – spreading the word: BB Guides lead ODA/LOCOG tours within the Olympic Park Positive relationships with key figures In excess of 33,000 pax have taken the daily walk 400+ schools have taken coach tours BB Guides are constantly up-to-date on 2012 information Increase public awareness of our marque at home and abroad Donate to Wheelpower

LONDON 2012 One extraordinary year

Last year’s practice run?

The Cultural Olympiad

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

The Olympic Torch Relay

143 days to go! Olympic Games: 27 July – 12 August Paralympics: 29 August – 9 September

THE LEGACY Building on the investment

“It’s not just the investment of the Olympic Park and other sporting venues by the ODA, it’s the preparation of LOCOG right now, the fitness of the athletes during the Olympics and the Paralympics and their medal success, but what happens during the next decades is vital!” Joanna Hoad, Chair to BB2012 Committee