Greeter

Greeters are voluntary and do not offer professional urban or tourist guides that provide free walks in cities and regions. The project focuses on the encounter with travelers and the individual presentation of their own city or region is. The global governing body is the Global Greeter Network.

History

Founded as the " Greeter " initiative by Lynn Brooks in 1992 with the club "Big Apple Greeter " in New York City. The main intention was to improve the poor image of the metropolis by the volunteer and personal attention of tourists. There were other " Greeter " projects in other U.S. cities and worldwide. Meanwhile, " greeten " in New York City over 300 volunteers more than 7000 visitors per year ( as of 2010). The first German " Greeter " were from December 2008, the " Berlin Greeter " in Berlin.

" Greeter " programs

Definition, organization and legal form of the individual " Greeter " programs around the world differ, sometimes greatly. Mostly, however, partly even in large regions (Rhein -Ahr, Kent, Pas de Calais ), or even nationwide ( Ivory Coast), projects will be offered in major cities and towns. While many " Greeter " programs organized in independent associations and others have become strongly with the local tourist offices.

Global Greeter Network

In the " Global Greeter Network" (GGN ) all official " Greeter " are organized programs. Prerequisite for inclusion in the GGN include the recognition of six principles ( " Core Values" ):

• Greeters are volunteers, they prepare the visitors a friendly welcome.
• Greeters welcome individual guests or very small groups up to 6 people. The focus of the dialogue between Greeter and Hospitality stands.
• The walk with a Greeter is free.
• All visitors and volunteers are welcome without discrimination.
• The Greeter programs support sustainable tourism. They respect the natural and social environment and promote cultural development of local communities. Greeter promote the image of their home town / region.
• The Greeter programs offer Greetern and guests the opportunity for mutual cultural exchange. They help build a better world, by establishing contact from person to person.

The GGN organizes an annual meeting of global " Greeter ". Occasionally there are " Greeter " initiatives that have not joined the GGN.