Safety Reminder for the Tour Guiding Profession: Seat Allocation for Tourist Guides on Tour Buses

Ensuring safe working conditions during the practice of the tour guiding profession is crucial both for the safety of guides and for maintaining the quality of tourism services. In a recent statement, the Istanbul Chamber of Tourist Guides announced that it has received reports indicating that, particularly on Turkish-language tours organized for domestic visitors, some tour buses do not allocate a seat for the tourist guide.

According to the statement, there have been cases where tourist guides are forced to provide explanations while standing inside the vehicle, travel without a seat even on short city routes, or sit in inappropriate areas such as the aisle using cushions or other makeshift arrangements. Such situations not only pose serious safety risks but also undermine the professional dignity of the tour guiding profession.

It was also emphasized that the hostess seat found on tour buses can only be used by authorized vehicle personnel according to existing regulations. Therefore, it is not legally permissible for passengers or tourist guides to use this seat. Moreover, these seats are not covered under passenger insurance, which could lead to serious legal and health risks for guides in the event of an accident.

The Istanbul Chamber of Tourist Guides reminded all members of the tour guiding profession to ensure that an appropriate and insured passenger seat is allocated for them on the vehicles they work on. Guides are strongly encouraged to request proper seating arrangements in order to protect their safety, working conditions, and legal rights.

This reminder issued before the start of the tourism season once again highlights the importance of ensuring safe working environments in the tour guiding profession. Providing tourist guides with safe and appropriate working conditions is essential for maintaining both professional standards and the sustainability of high-quality tourism services.