Application of sustainability indicators to tour guiding practice: the need for a broader perspective

Date

2011

Authors

Kim, A.K.
Weiler, B.

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Conference paper

Citation

Tourism: Creating a brilliant blend: Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference CAUTHE 2011, 2011, pp.1146-1150

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21st Annual Conference Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Tourism: Creating a brilliant blend (8 Feb 2011 - 11 Feb 2011 : Adelaide, South Australia)

Abstract

This paper addresses the importance of a systematic approach to researching the inter‐relationship between tour guiding performance and sustainable tourism outcomes. Toward this end, the application of sustainability indicators to tour guiding practice is proposed in order to extend the contribution of tour guides beyond service quality to the broader sustainability agenda. It is noted that previous research on tour guiding practice often focuses on the economic and environmental management roles of tour guides in order to meet the needs of tourists while managing tourists’ behaviour. This appears to be a narrow approach which limits tour guides’ contribution to a destination’s long‐term sustainability. The larger interests of all stakeholders need to be considered to extend the role of tour guides in achieving the wider environmental, political and socio‐cultural dimensions of sustainability. The sustainability indicators literature provides a strong basis upon which to rethink the various roles of tour guides and in turn the redesign of training programs in order to move toward this more holistic perspective.

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Copyright 2011 CAUTHE

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