Before rushing to the belief that tourist guides are an essential element, one must consider the flip side.
Their role is often conditional and should not be considered as always present or decisive, because risks can outweigh.
If a guide is a good starting point, it does not replace thorough research tailored to individual needs, which is a crucial exit condition.
For example, for a traveler with mobility issues, a general guide will not specify if a site is wheelchair accessible, making this "essential component" useless.