Communication Skills of International Tour Leaders

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Management, faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

3 MBA Graduate, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

International tour leaders are considered as cultural ambassadors of a country whose communication competencies influence on the positive and negative experiences of tourists and their memories of destination. Due to the nature of the communication between the tour guide's job and the face-to-face interactions with the tourists, their communication skills are very important. Therefore, this study is aimed at identifying the communication competencies of the international tour leaders and their importance. This qualitative-quantitative (mixed) study was conducted using the Delphi method. The statistical population of the study is university experts in the field of tourism and international tour leaders. Sampling was done randomly and snowball method was used to identify the research sample. The data gathered with the participation of 28 experts was saturated. The findings of the study showed that the experts in total presented 21 communication skills that include Fluency in foreign language, Using body language, compassion, Keep the right distance, Proper movements, Being humorous, Amiability and geniality, Being polite, Being respectful in social communications, Maintain eye contact, use gestures, Not having a tongue tie, Use proper grammar, Describing interestingly, Having an appropriate connection with other elements of the tourism industry, Strong expression and strong speaking ability, storytelling, Providing information which are proper with conditions of the tour in terms of time and mood of tourists, Using verbal and nonverbal symptoms, Creating diversity, Entertaining tourists and Social mediation. The findings of this study provide tour operators and the Association of Professional Tour Leaders and Educational centers of Tour guiding with a platform from which they can launch educational seminars and workshops to enhance tour leaders’ communication competency

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of International Business Administration
Volume 2, Issue 3 - Serial Number 6
October 2019
Pages 163-183

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 May 2019
  • Revise Date: 21 September 2019
  • Accept Date: 21 September 2019

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