Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Tour guides are one of the most visible players in tourism but little scholarly attention has been given to the links that tour guides may have with sustainable development. This study addresses the gap by promoting an understanding of how tour guides can assist in moving tourism in a sustainable direction. Sustainable development is expected to improve the quality of life for all people without causing undesirable ecological and socio-cultural outcomes. As a central agent in the entire tourism system, tour guides have a variety of roles to play in response to the expectations of the various tourism stakeholders. A literature review suggests that tour guides can contribute to destinations'sustainable development by exerting their functions on experience management, resources management and local economic promotion. Interpretative guiding is the means by which tour guides can realize these above potentials. A case study was conducted in Hainan, China. The guiding performance there was examined to see whether and to what extent tour guides are contributing to the achievement of local sustainability. It was discovered that the tour guides in Hainan do not exert (well) their expected functions either in enhancing enjoyable experiences for tourists, in supporting local resource conservation, or in promoting the healthy development of the local economy. Their potentials are blocked by the issues and problems of instant money-making-centered guiding conduct, below-cost group receiving industry practices and unfair remuneration system for the guides, absence of protection measures to ensure the guides??? interests, opportunism in guiding and lenient certificating requirements, lack of professionalism and effective training, ineffective monitoring measures, and limited awareness of sustainable development. In order to better the situation, unhealthy travel and trade industry practice should be banned; effective certificating, training and monitoring measures should be developed and implemented; tour guides??? personal interests should be protected and local awareness of sustainability, in particular that of the industry members, should be fostered. Serious efforts of the government administration as well as industry members and tour guides are required if tour guides are to fulfill their potential as agents of sustainable development.

Tour guides are one of the most visible players in tourism but little scholarly attention has been given to the links that tour guides may have with sustainable development. This study addresses the gap by promoting an understanding of how tour guides can assist in moving tourism in a sustainable direction. Sustainable development is expected to improve the quality of life for all people without causing undesirable ecological and socio-cultural outcomes. As a central agent in the entire tourism system, tour guides have a variety of roles to play in response to the expectations of the various tourism stakeholders. A literature review suggests that tour guides can contribute to destinations'sustainable development by exerting their functions on experience management, resources management and local economic promotion. Interpretative guiding is the means by which tour guides can realize these above potentials. A case study was conducted in Hainan, China. The guiding performance there was examined to see whether and to what extent tour guides are contributing to the achievement of local sustainability. It was discovered that the tour guides in Hainan do not exert (well) their expected functions either in enhancing enjoyable experiences for tourists, in supporting local resource conservation, or in promoting the healthy development of the local economy. Their potentials are blocked by the issues and problems of instant money-making-centered guiding conduct, below-cost group receiving industry practices and unfair remuneration system for the guides, absence of protection measures to ensure the guides’ interests, opportunism in guiding and lenient certificating requirements, lack of professionalism and effective training, ineffective monitoring measures, and limited awareness of sustainable development. In order to better the situation, unhealthy travel and trade industry practice should be banned; effective certificating, training and monitoring measures should be developed and implemented; tour guides’ personal interests should be protected and local awareness of sustainability, in particular that of the industry members, should be fostered. Serious efforts of the government administration as well as industry members and tour guides are required if tour guides are to fulfill their potential as agents of sustainable development.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - James Cook University, 2003. / Typescript (photocopy). Bibliography: leaves [318]-342.

Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-149). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

The purpose of this study is to critically evaluate the performance of tour guides in Thailand and their impact on the tourist experience. The research objectives include a: review of the literature on service quality and tour guide performance; a survey of tourists’ expectations and satisfaction with tour guides in Thailand; a critical evaluation of tour operators’ and tourists’ perspectives on the variables that constitute a high standard of performance for tour guides; analysing how the performance of tour guides influences the experiences of foreign tourists; and understanding the attributes of tour guides that influence the satisfaction of foreign tourists. The sample in this research comprised 400 tourists in Thailand who were currently on or had previously been on a group package tour in Thailand within the past two years. The survey took place in 2014 between January 1 and July 31and was conducted in the cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai. A convenience sampling technique was utilised, with respondents being requested to provide a range of demographic variables. Descriptive analyses of these variables were conducted to examine tourists’ demographic profiles in order to understand tourists’ characteristics and their behaviours. The results of the questionnaires were analysed using statistical methods including factor, regression and multivariate analyses. Based on the results, a tour guide service quality evaluating model (TGSQEM) was developed, composed of eight dimensions: reliability (informative); personal traits; empathy1 (service-oriented mind); assurance1 (knowledgeable); professionalism; attitude; assurance2 (able to generate an atmosphere of trust); and empathy. The results identified the various factors that affect tour guide performance whilst enhancing the understanding of the perceptions of tourists’ expectations of tour guide performance and associated service quality. Using quantifiable data, these were then calculated and plotted into a graph utilising the Important Performance Analysis (IPA) technique. This investigation of the variables that influence the service quality performance of tour guides in Thailand has subsequently been used to create a theoretical framework that can be utilized to enhance the service quality of tour guides and contribute to a more successful tourism industry in Thailand. The development of this model represents a furthering of the knowledge about the performance of tour guides and, whilst constituted in a specific cultural context, it is envisaged that it would have generic transferability to tour guiding elsewhere.

This thesis interrogates the intersections of gender and emotional labour in an exploratory study of guided kayak tours. The kayak tour is a socially produced location where guides hold the double role of entertainer and protector of their clients. The social space of the tour not only constructs and markets to particular clients (which impact guide-clients interactions), but also constructs particular gender locations for guides. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted to produce rich qualitative data, and were supplemented by fieldwork and examination of promotional materials. Guides’ stories offer detailed accounts of the emotional labour in which they engage as they produce a tour experience for clients. They also reveal the ways in which this labour is intertwined with their gender projects. As kayaking is unexamined within sociological literature, this thesis contributes to an understanding of the social world and furthers knowledge on the complexities of gender and emotional labour. / viii, 112 leaves ; 29 cm

The purpose of the study was to (1) identify pedagogical touring competencies needed by volunteer docents in art museums, (2) catalog the competency statements into major competency categories, (3) validate the list of competency statements, and (4) compare priority designations awarded each statement by the individuals within the two major subgroups: museum staff and volunteer docents. In conclusion, many of the needs represented by the highest ranking competencies in each category are seldom addressed in the traditional volunteer docent training program. This study showed that abilities to help the child feel comfortable in the museum and combinations of abilities to help the docent make judgments regarding the presentation of the material require attention and, at the very least , special training. It is recommended that training personnel in art museums identify the needs of volunteer trainees and design training programs less on traditional guidelines and more on the specific needs appropriate to the task.

Many youth organizations, including 4-H, FFA, and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), offer countless opportunities for their members to learn and further develop leadership life skills that are important in becoming contributing members of society as adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if Texas 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA members were developing leadership life skills as school tour guides at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition. Additionally, demographic characteristics were evaluated to determine which of these characteristics affected leadership life skills development. Demographic characteristics evaluated included gender, age, ethnicity, youth organization membership, years of membership, years of experience as a school tour guide, and previous leadership skills training. The target population was Texas 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA members who served as school tour guides at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition. School tour guides referred to the 4-H, FFA, FCCLA members who imparted their personal knowledge of agriculture to elementary-aged students from San Antonio and surrounding area schools that requested an educational tour at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition. There were 1,691 school tour guides on the days of February 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, and 18, 2004. All school tour guides returning for the afternoon exit-meeting during the 2004 San Antonio Livestock Exposition were asked to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire was a 28-item survey instrument that was based on the scales: Working with Groups, Understanding Self, Communicating, Making Decisions, and Leadership. Conclusions showed school tour guides had developed leadership life skills. The most influential demographic characteristics were gender, previous leadership experiences, and ethnicity. Females and those participants who had had previous leadership experiences had stronger perceptions of their leadership life skills. In addition, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, and Anglos all had stronger perceptions of their leadership life skills when compared to Native Americans. As a result of this study, the researcher recommends that youth should be encouraged to participate as school tour guides at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition. School tour guides had developed leadership life skills. In addition, youth should also be encouraged to participate in other leadership-development activities through other programs to further develop and enhance their leadership life skills.

Thesis (PHD)--University of Montana, 2009. / Contents viewed on December 22, 2009. Title from author supplied metadata. Includes bibliographical references.