Insights, ideas and practical perspectives on guide development, guest experience, storytelling, human behaviour and professional guiding.
The Insights section is where Ascent Solutions explores the principles, challenges and opportunities that influence exceptional guiding and memorable guest experiences.
Our goal is simple: share ideas that help guides, guide managers and tourism organisations think differently about guide development.
Explore Our Insights
Articles and insights are organised into the following categories:
Guide Development
Guest Experience
Storytelling
Human Behaviour
Tourism & Guiding
Latest Articles
Featured insights from Ascent Solutions exploring guide development, guest experience and the professional development of experienced tour guides.
Great guides don’t just read destinations; they read people. Discover how understanding your guests helps you adapt your approach and create more meaningful experiences.
We invited Johan Burger from Ascent Solutions to conduct a two-day communication and guest experience workshop for our guiding team in Arusha.
The training provided practical techniques to improve guest engagement, strengthen communication, and create more memorable experiences throughout the safari journey.
The training delivered by Johan was immensely valuable because it focused on the areas that have the greatest impact on guest satisfaction. The content was practical, relevant, and insightful, even for guides with extensive industry experience.
Johan has a unique ability to cut through the noise and get straight to what matters, regardless of the topic. This is invaluable for anyone who genuinely wants to improve, grow, and develop as a guide and leader.
Cusco Peru & Cape Town South Africa
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What Participants and Tourism Businesses Say
Chris De Coning
Johan’s training of guides challenges us to move beyond delivering information and focus on creating memorable experiences for the guests. I left with ideas I could apply immediately as well as a greater understanding of how tourist guides function within the greater milieu of the industry.
Professional Guide | 30+ Years
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What Participants and Tourism Businesses Say
Nico Barkhuizen
Practical, thought-provoking, and highly relevant.
Johan’s training offered new insights that I could immediately apply in the field, even after more than 20 years as a guide.
Professional Tourist Guide | 30+ Years
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What Participants and Tourism Businesses Say
Wayne Maddams
The training was practical, engaging, and immediately applicable.
Even after 20+ years in the industry, I left with fresh ideas to enhance the guest experience.
Professional Tourist Guide | 20+ Years
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What Participants and Tourism Businesses Say
Charl Fourie
“After nearly 3 decades in the industry, Johan still gave me new ways to think about guest engagement and communication.
Practical, relevant, and immediately applicable in the field.
Professional Tourist Guide | 20+ Years
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What Participants and Tourism Businesses Say
Dion Fabe
Practical, engaging, and highly relevant.
The training provided useful techniques to improve communication and enhance the overall guest experience.”
