International Journal of Research Studies in Management
CollabWritive Special Issue
2024 Volume 12 Issue 13
Available Online: 1 October 2024
Author/s:
Niegas, Antonio Jr. G.
Laguna State Polytechnic University – Siniloan Campus, Philippines (anton.niegas@gmail.com)
Abstract:
Tour guiding is one the most lucrative professions under the tourism sector. However, most tour guides lost their job unexpectedly in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic. In spite of this, many provinces around the country are still positive that tour guiding will be back with a vengeance this 2024. Developing a comprehensive training plan in tour guiding in times of pandemic is not an easy task. Only several schools in the Philippines are offering tour guiding courses and most of them are in the provincial areas where most popular tourist destinations are located. The primary objective of the study is to explore the existence and outcome of the best practices of the tour guides of Eco Park Panguil Laguna. For clearer focus on this study, the researchers were guided by scope and delimitations. This research study specifically focused on Eco Park in Panguil Laguna. In benchmarking the best practices of the tour guides, the researchers had interviewed ten (10) individuals who are working as tour guides of Eco Park in the past years. As such, the survey and interviews were conducted for one week. This study used subsequent mixed method approach, wherein the researchers utilized both qualitative through interview and quantitative through survey using questionnaires in generating data pertinent and cognizant in this study. Findings surmised that the four characteristics of the tour guides; interpersonal skills, communication skills, knowledge and body language are the best practices that should be maintained by tour guides because they have direct impact towards the tourists. Eventually, the output of the study was designed and crafted in the form of a comprehensive training plan intended for assisting individuals who wants to become a tour guide.
Keywords: tour guide, Laguna, sustainability, Philippines
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrsm.2024.1282
Cite this article:
Niegas, A. J. G. (2024). Best practices of tour guides in Eco-Park Panguil Laguna: A basis for the development of comprehensive training plan for tour guiding services. International Journal of Research Studies in Management, 12(13), 97-104. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrsm.2024.1282