Interview with Alfred Esmeijer – Vancouver Tour Guide

Alfred Esmeijer is a long-time Vancouver tour guide who specializes in private tours of the Vancouver area. In this blog post, Alfred talks about his background and why he chooses to call Vancouver home. Stay tuned to our blog to see Alfred’s best tips for a great Vancouver vacation.

About Alfred:

How did you get started as a tour guide?

I have worked for many years in a lot of different aspects of the hospitality industry. When I was studying at the University of Calgary I went for a summer job to the Yukon and Alaska to be both a motor coach driver and a tour guide. Because I speak a few foreign languages, I was regularly sent to Anchorage to pick up European groups—most of the time I ended up doing the narrations. When in Vancouver and back in school, I worked part-time with a local sightseeing company which eventually became my full-time occupation and resulted in assisting the company to become No. 1 in the industry year after year. In 2003, after a “restructuring” at the aforementioned company I started on my own, exploring a definite niche in the industry.

You said you speak a few languages. What other languages do you speak and where did you grow up?

[I was] born in Arnhem, the Netherlands. I arrived in Canada in 1969. Lived in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary Banff, Whitehorse, Yukon, Alaska (seasonal as tour guide) and Vancouver (my home). I speak English, French, German, and Dutch. I understand a little Spanish and Italian. The product of a Dutch education, I’m proud to say.

What did you study before becoming a tour guide?

[I attended] high school in the Netherlands. [I studied] Political Science for 2.5 years at the University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia. I dabbled in Religious Studies at Regent College (post-graduate), Vancouver, BC.

In what ways does Vancouver/Canada compare to Holland/Europe?

In many ways there are no comparisons. Simply look at the vastness and the landscape of Canada as a whole. Yet, Vancouver is an interesting, fascinating and dynamic place to be. In many ways, I look at Vancouver as “history which is being made” as opposed to Montreal where history has taken place, so to speak. Vancouver has many neighborhoods with different characteristics, yet, very much inter-connected with one another. Today is a sunny day and the backdrop with the local snow-capped mountains is absolutely stunning. Vancouver is a “walking and bicycle” city. There are many places to eat and drink or enjoy a coffee. If you want excellent food and culinary experiences, Vancouver is the place to be. Fresh produce, fish, fresh meats, venison, superb local British Columbia wines are a willing formula for anyone to settle in Vancouver. Additionally, Vancouver is a very multi-ethnic society as well as having a large Asian presence, yet we are a very tolerant society. We enjoy the highest percentage of inter-racial marriages in Canada. Unfortunately, the typical Dutch “gezelligheid” [sense of belonging] is missing. Locals can be very “independent and/or insular.” Overall Vancouver is an amazing city.

Given all the places in Canada that you have lived what makes Vancouver the place you have chosen to settle down?

Vancouver is a fusion of Europe and Asia. Many neighborhoods with different characteristics yet very interconnected. Vancouver is also a pedestrian oriented city and cycling is very popular. We actually have designated bicycle lanes in the streets. I mean, where can you sail and ski at the same time or enjoy the amazing beaches (dressed or undressed).

What do you like best about being a tour guide?

I have always regarded being a tour-guide as a profession and many a time I have defended my position when some colleagues of mine thought differently and “looked down” somewhat on being a tour guide. I enjoy thoroughly what I am doing and the enjoyment is twofold: meeting people from all over the world and from all walks of life to me is awesome, but showing these people the beautiful city and surroundings in which I live is an absolute privilege. The challenge for me is to make my clients understand the intricacies and dynamics of what they visited and to put it in perspective with their own world.

We will also be posting Alfred Esmeijer’s tips for a vacation to Vancouver in our blog. Check back soon to learn about the best sights Vancouver has to offer!