Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Examining the Impacts of Professional Competences on the Job Stress of Mandarin Tour Guides in Taiwan
Tzu-Yao Lin, Wei-Hsiung Chang, Miao-Shen Chen

Abstract
Regarding human resource development in the travel service industry, tour guides’ professional competencies may affect their tour guiding–related job stress. Accordingly, this study examines the relationships between professional competencies and job stress among Mandarin tour guides in Taiwan. Study data were gathered from Mandarin tour guide license holders through the Tour Guide Association of Taiwan. Further, the study considered a convenience sample of 315 respondents to test some hypotheses. The study’s empirical results indicate that a significantly negative correlation exists between professional competencies and job stress. Nevertheless, the ‘Communication & Expression’, ‘Ability to Operation’, and ‘Control of Risk Handling’ dimensions were found to have the most significant negative effects on job stress for Mandarin tour guides in the Taiwanese tourism industry. The study results are expected to have implications for tour guides’ competency development and provide practical contributions to assist travel agencies and relevant associations in effectively strengthening the professional competencies of Mandarin tour guides. Eventually, a balance can be established between Mandarin tour guides’ professional competencies and job stress so that relevant practitioners and chairs may create and develop appropriate workplaces for relevant employees in the industry.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jthm.v8n1a7