Members of an international organization are called the Global Greeters. They offer travelers the chance to get to know a city as well as local people do.
Unlike the professional guides(专业导游), the volunteer greeters act more like neighbours. They take visitors to visit the city–either on foot or public traffic—to discover favourite neighbourhoods, cafes and parks.
All the programs work a little differently, but the basics(基本项目) are the same. The tours are free and last anywhere for two or four hours. Volunteers can be all ages, and their ages and interests try to match the travelers.
New York City(USA)
Big Apple Greeter is the pioneer “welcome visitor” program founded in 1992 by New Yorker Lynn Brooks. More than 300 volunteers now can welcome guests from all over the world in 22 languages. Greeters explain the New York City subway and bus systems and show guests around one or more of their favourite neighbourhoods. Like many greeter organizations, Big Apple accepts online donations to help with its daily costs.
Houston(USA)
Houston Greeters will organize activities such as golf, biking or an outing to an Astros game(太空人队的比赛). Another activity is to arrange a tour in need of a particular interest.
Chicago(USA)
Chicago Greeters help visitors visit one of the city's many famous neighbourhoods. The group organizes walks through Ukrainian Village on the Near North Side and Andersonville, home to Scandinavian restaurants and shops and Middle Eastern bakeries. Guides will also organize tours around themes such as fashion, film or public art.
France
In France, English speaking volunteers for Parisien d'un Jour lead visitors through hidden corners of Paris, often ending with a lively discussion on a café balcony. Guides in Lyon organize walks around themes such as shopping, markets and sports.
Global Greeters | |
Volunteer greeters travelers with the chance to know a city well. They act like to show the visitors around the city. Although greeters work in ways, the basics are the same. | |
New York City | Big Apple was founded in 1922. 300 volunteers can serve visitors in languages. |
Houston | In Houston, some activities golf, biking or an outing to an Astros game will be organized. |
Chicago | With the of Chicago Greeters, visitors can visit Ukrainian Village on the Near North Side and Andersonville, home to Scandinavian restaurants and shops and Middle Eastern bakeries, can also enjoy fashion, film or public art. |
France | Volunteers who can English for Parisien d'un Jour will lead visitors through hidden corners of Paris, and near the of the tour, they may have a lively discussion on a café balcony. |
