Why New York, Jeremy Wilcox?
A couple of days ago I asked my network of licensed NYC tour guides to answer a couple of questions about their relationship to New York City. The questions are not neccesarily indepth but I am hoping it’ll throw a little light over the personalities behind the title of “NYC Tour Guide”.
I am all for highlighting fellow guides that has a great passion for what they do and can offer. Why do people travel? To experience something great, something amazing. To make memories that can last a lifetime, right? While the internet offers several ways of creating some of these experiences yourself – the internet can not replace a human being.
If you haven’t read the previous post about this subject, I hope you will before you read this: https://danishtourguide.com/2018/11/why-new-york-a-look-into-nyc-tour-guides/
#WhyNewYork
Let’s take a look at the first tour guide; Jeremy Wilcox the owner of Custom NYC Tours. I’ve known Jeremy for a couple of years and have attending two of his unique walking tours, that takes you through neighborhoods off-the-beaten-path. Jeremy is a kind and very smart person!
Here’s his answers to my questions under the subject: #WhyNewYork?
Q: Name and year born
A: Jeremy Wilcox 1979
Q: Where were you born?
A: New York, USAQ: If NYC born, did you ever leave the City for more than a year?A: NoQ: Why did you move to NYC? Did you ever regret it?
A: I was raised here in New York, and choose to stay because the energy of the city is addictive. I love to walk and most of America is not very walkable.Q: When did you become a NYC licensed tour guide?A: 2016Q: How did you become a tour guide? What made you go into the profession?A: I used to run a club with some friends, similar to a book club where someone would pick a new neighborhood every month, and I’d plan a tour around it. That led me to becoming a guide professionally. I wanted to have that experience, but with visitors both local and tourists.Q: Tell me the worst thing that ever happened on a tour, and how you handled it?A: I had a customer very early on that had misread the tour description, didn’t realize it was a walking tour, and was very vocally angry about this. I attempted to smooth things over and keep going, but they continued to be angry and disruptive. I learned that, in that 1 out of 100 worse case scenario, you just have to offer them a refund, quickly send them on their way, and continue the tour without them.Q: Tell me about the best experience you ever had as a guide, that may have changed your perspective and made you an even better guide?A: I did a private tour for a family looking to discover Queens. The tour went so well, and they said it was the highlight of their trip. It reminded me, in a more visceral way, that our tours are a part of someones vacation, and people work hard to earn these vacations. We have a responsibility therefore to make these tours and experiences count.Q: If you could no longer work as a tour guide, what profession would you seek?A: Writer.Q: What kind of tour do you prefer giving? Walking, mode of transportation? Neighborhood? Theme?A: Walking tours are the best way to see New York. Seeing it by vehicle is a fairly artificial experience. My favorite kind of tours cover a specific neighborhood and cover all the aspects that make it unique: history, architecture, art, and fun stories. I also love doing street art tours.Q: What do you want tourists to know about YOU?A: The real fun of New York is, after seeing the major sights, going to the outer boroughs and sightseeing the lesser-known attractions, landmarks, and neighborhoods of the city.Q: Tell me a thing you don’t like about NYC?A: The high cost of living can keep many talented people from permanently staying here.Q: Where do you buy your coffee/tea?
A: Kusmi Tea
If you want to meet Jeremy, and experience one of his tours feel free to email him at: jeremy@customnyctours.com – you can say you read this blog about him! It would be cool to see if it might inspire some of you.