The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Career Plans of Prospective Tour Guide

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out how COVID-19 pandemic has affected the career plans of tour guiding students, and whether the pandemic has changed their career plans. Along with the main objective of this study, it was also aimed to reveal the thoughts of the students on tour guiding. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative research methods were used in this study. The students were first given information on career planning, COVID-19 pandemic, and tour guiding, and 4 open-ended questions created through Google Forms were sent to the participants. This study was conducted between December 20, 2020 and January 20, 2021 with participation of 75 students. The data obtained were analyzed by using MAXQDA20 qualitative data analysis program. Findings – The thoughts of students on tour guiding were explained under affective expressions and thoughts on tour guiding categories, and it was found that the students, in general, gave positive opinions. However, some students thought that tour guiding is an exhausting, challenging, and risky occupation. While some students stated that COVID-19 pandemic has led to some negative impacts, such as, psychological stress, pessimism, introversion, and uncertainties, others stated that the pandemic has created new opportunities, and talked about some positive impacts, such as raising awareness on economy/savings, and self-improvement for back-up plans. It was also found that the students have made different career plans during this pandemic. Discussion – One of the results of this study is the students’ desire to build a career apart from tour guiding, or to engage in tour guiding as a side job. Along with negative economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on tourism industry, the withdrawal of the students with the potential of becoming successful tour guides in the future, or pessimism about the future of this occupation for various concerns are alarming factors to be considered for the future of tour guiding.