Optional Excursion
An Optional Excursion is an additional tour or activity that travelers can choose to add to their main travel package. It's not included in the basic tour price but can be purchased separately. Tour guides and travel professionals offer these extra experiences to enhance visitors' trips and generate additional revenue. These might include special guided walks, food tastings, cultural performances, or day trips to nearby attractions. Sometimes they're also called "optional tours," "add-on experiences," or "optional activities."
Examples in Resumes
Generated $50,000 additional revenue through selling Optional Excursions to cruise ship passengers
Designed and led 20+ Optional Excursions and Optional Tours in historic city centers
Managed scheduling and staffing for Optional Activities with groups of up to 50 tourists
Typical job title: "Tour Guides"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Tour Guides
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you develop and price new optional excursions for a destination?
Expected Answer: Should discuss market research, cost analysis, competitor pricing, target audience preferences, and strategies for maximizing both customer satisfaction and profit margins.
Q: How do you handle crisis management during optional excursions?
Expected Answer: Should explain emergency protocols, communication procedures, handling medical emergencies, weather contingencies, and maintaining group safety while ensuring customer satisfaction.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What strategies do you use to sell optional excursions to guests?
Expected Answer: Should discuss personalized recommendations, highlighting unique experiences, understanding customer interests, and effective presentation techniques without being pushy.
Q: How do you manage time effectively when running optional excursions?
Expected Answer: Should explain scheduling techniques, coordinating with venues and transportation, building in buffer time, and adapting to unexpected delays while maintaining tour quality.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What information do you need to collect before leading an optional excursion?
Expected Answer: Should mention guest numbers, special requirements, weather conditions, venue confirmations, and necessary equipment or materials.
Q: How do you handle guests who are late for an optional excursion?
Expected Answer: Should discuss communication protocols, company policies, balancing group needs with individual circumstances, and maintaining the schedule without compromising service.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic tour guiding techniques
- Knowledge of local attractions
- Customer service basics
- Basic scheduling and timing management
Mid (2-5 years)
- Excursion sales techniques
- Group management
- Problem-solving during tours
- Multiple language capabilities
Senior (5+ years)
- New excursion development
- Staff training and supervision
- Crisis management
- Revenue optimization strategies
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of local area or attractions
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of customer service experience
- No understanding of safety protocols
- Unable to handle group dynamics
Related Terms
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