The phenomenon of job stress in the tour guide profession and the impact of perceived stress on job performance

Tourism is one of the foremost industries that comes to mind when considering sectors with significant contributions to a country's economy. Beyond its economic impact, the cultural contributions of tourism are also considerable. Given these contributions, it is evident that countries must adopt a planned and strategic approach in managing and directing tourism. In terms of professional expertise, tour guides, who interact directly with tourists, receive specialized training, and significantly influence the tourist experience, are recognized as one of the key professional groups in this field. Tour guiding is a profession with diverse responsibilities and challenging working conditions. Depending on the attractions of the tourism destination, tour guides work in both indoor settings (hotels, temples, museums, etc.) and outdoor environments (historical sites, ancient settlements, mountainous regions, etc.), resulting in varying working conditions and environments. They may work long hours in extremely hot or cold, noisy, dusty, and humid conditions during summer or winter (Turkish Employment Agency, 2013). Additionally, the flexibility of working hours eventually leads to tour guiding becoming a lifestyle, making it difficult for guides to establish a regular routine. The challenges inherent in the profession eventually lead to decreased job performance and increased work-related stress. This thesis examines the relationship between job stress and job performance among tour guides. It is hoped that the findings will contribute to the literature on the tour guiding profession and provide insights into the impact of stress on job performance among tourism industry employees, thereby guiding industrial practices.