the voice is the speaker's most valuable commodity and, like a musical instrument, it must be cared for and keep in tune. Travelers often listen to a guide's voice for eight or more hours a day or for several days at a time. Unfortunately, many guides have unpleasant voices. Guides and other speakers owe it to themselves and their listeners to cultivate as clear and as pleasant a speaking voice as possible, and this can be achieved through evaluation and practice.