Open Forum

Hello all!

Forgive me, as I'm sure this topic has probably been covered, but I'm very interested in hearing how other museums are managing the return of guided tours.

Our museum is located in a state that limits our ability to require masks or proof of vaccination.  Under these circumstances, a majority of our volunteer guides are disinclined to lead public tours, but a few have expressed an interest in providing private tours to small groups.

We hosted one such group last week, and the participants, all unmasked, requested that the guide remove her mask because they were unable to hear her.  She acquiesced but told us afterward that she was extremely uncomfortable doing so.  We certainly don't want to put our volunteers in situations that make them feel anxious or unsafe, and we will continue supporting those who choose to wear a mask.

We can foresee this becoming a recurring issue on guided tours, particularly as our visitor numbers rise.  We have listening devices available for tours, but our guides have always been loath to use them due to hygiene concerns, regardless of our measures to keep them clean.  In my mind, I can see things progressing toward making the listening devices a required component to mitigate any complaints from visitors who paid for tours that they couldn't hear.

I'd love to know what others are experiencing with regard to guided tours, especially those at institutions that can't require their visitors or volunteers to wear masks.  Are your volunteers hesitant about working with the public or have most of them returned to their previous roles?  What processes have you implemented to help them feel comfortable with guest interactions?  If you're not currently offering tours at your museum, have you found another way for guides/docents to successfully engage with visitors?  I'm appreciative of any information you can share!

Hello all!

Forgive me, as I'm sure this topic has probably been covered, but I'm very interested in hearing how other museums are managing the return of guided tours.

Our museum is located in a state that limits our ability to require masks or proof of vaccination.  Under these circumstances, a majority of our volunteer guides are disinclined to lead public tours, but a few have expressed an interest in providing private tours to small groups.

We hosted one such group last week, and the participants, all unmasked, requested that the guide remove her mask because they were unable to hear her.  She acquiesced but told us afterward that she was extremely uncomfortable doing so.  We certainly don't want to put our volunteers in situations that make them feel anxious or unsafe, and we will continue supporting those who choose to wear a mask.

We can foresee this becoming a recurring issue on guided tours, particularly as our visitor numbers rise.  We have listening devices available for tours, but our guides have always been loath to use them due to hygiene concerns, regardless of our measures to keep them clean.  In my mind, I can see things progressing toward making the listening devices a required component to mitigate any complaints from visitors who paid for tours that they couldn't hear.

I'd love to know what others are experiencing with regard to guided tours, especially those at institutions that can't require their visitors or volunteers to wear masks.  Are your volunteers hesitant about working with the public or have most of them returned to their previous roles?  What processes have you implemented to help them feel comfortable with guest interactions?  If you're not currently offering tours at your museum, have you found another way for guides/docents to successfully engage with visitors?  I'm appreciative of any information you can share!

Hello all!

Forgive me, as I'm sure this topic has probably been covered, but I'm very interested in hearing how other museums are managing the return of guided tours.

Our museum is located in a state that limits our ability to require masks or proof of vaccination.  Under these circumstances, a majority of our volunteer guides are disinclined to lead public tours, but a few have expressed an interest in providing private tours to small groups.

We hosted one such group last week, and the participants, all unmasked, requested that the guide remove her mask because they were unable to hear her.  She acquiesced but told us afterward that she was extremely uncomfortable doing so.  We certainly don't want to put our volunteers in situations that make them feel anxious or unsafe, and we will continue supporting those who choose to wear a mask.

We can foresee this becoming a recurring issue on guided tours, particularly as our visitor numbers rise.  We have listening devices available for tours, but our guides have always been loath to use them due to hygiene concerns, regardless of our measures to keep them clean.  In my mind, I can see things progressing toward making the listening devices a required component to mitigate any complaints from visitors who paid for tours that they couldn't hear.

I'd love to know what others are experiencing with regard to guided tours, especially those at institutions that can't require their visitors or volunteers to wear masks.  Are your volunteers hesitant about working with the public or have most of them returned to their previous roles?  What processes have you implemented to help them feel comfortable with guest interactions?  If you're not currently offering tours at your museum, have you found another way for guides/docents to successfully engage with visitors?  I'm appreciative of any information you can share!

Hello all!

Forgive me, as I'm sure this topic has probably been covered, but I'm very interested in hearing how other museums are managing the return of guided tours.

Our museum is located in a state that limits our ability to require masks or proof of vaccination.  Under these circumstances, a majority of our volunteer guides are disinclined to lead public tours, but a few have expressed an interest in providing private tours to small groups.

We hosted one such group last week, and the participants, all unmasked, requested that the guide remove her mask because they were unable to hear her.  She acquiesced but told us afterward that she was extremely uncomfortable doing so.  We certainly don't want to put our volunteers in situations that make them feel anxious or unsafe, and we will continue supporting those who choose to wear a mask.

We can foresee this becoming a recurring issue on guided tours, particularly as our visitor numbers rise.  We have listening devices available for tours, but our guides have always been loath to use them due to hygiene concerns, regardless of our measures to keep them clean.  In my mind, I can see things progressing toward making the listening devices a required component to mitigate any complaints from visitors who paid for tours that they couldn't hear.

I'd love to know what others are experiencing with regard to guided tours, especially those at institutions that can't require their visitors or volunteers to wear masks.  Are your volunteers hesitant about working with the public or have most of them returned to their previous roles?  What processes have you implemented to help them feel comfortable with guest interactions?  If you're not currently offering tours at your museum, have you found another way for guides/docents to successfully engage with visitors?  I'm appreciative of any information you can share!