The mediating role of work-related fear of missing out and work-related social media use on the effect of professional tour guides' economic anxiety levels on their performance

Tour guides are one of the most important stakeholders in maintaining tourism operations. The efforts of the tour guide ensure the success of the tour programs and the satisfaction of the tourists. Tours are transformed into an experience thanks to the communication of tour guides, their knowledge and interpretation of a region, and their service skills. Therefore, the psychological anxiety states of tour guides and how these situations affect their performance is an important issue. The ability of tour guides to perform their functions effectively depends on their high work motivation and low levels of anxiety and fear about their job. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of tour guides' economic anxiety levels on their performance and the mediating role of work-related fear of missing out (FoMO) and work-related social media use in this relationship. For this purpose, a theoretical model was created and research hypotheses were developed. The representation of tour guides in Turkey was determined through proportion stratified sample. The sample of the research consists of 363 active tour guides working in Turkey. The research used frequency distribution, analyzes to reveal the validity and reliability of the scales, and structural equation modeling to determine the mediating effect. As a result of the research, it was determined that the economic anxiety of tour guides positively affected their performance. The economic anxiety experienced by tour guides also increases the use of work-related FoMO and work-related social media. In addition, no effect of work-related FoMO on performance was found. However, it has been concluded that work-related social media use increases performance. No mediating effect of work-related FoMO was found on the effect of economic concerns experienced by tour guides on their performance. However, it has been determined that work-related social media use has a strengthening mediating effect in this relationship. Finally, some suggestions were made to other tourism stakeholders in line with the findings obtained in the study. Keywords: Tour Guide, Economic Anxiety, Work-Related Fear of Missing Out, Work-Related Social Media Use, Performance