The use of artifical intelligence in tourist guiding education

This study aims to examine how artificial intelligence technologies are used in tourism guiding education and the impact of this use on professional competencies. Within the scope of the research, the perceptions, expectations, and concerns of professionals and academics working in the field of tourism guidance regarding artificial intelligence were analyzed. In this study based on a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were used as the data collection tool, and the obtained data were evaluated using the content analysis method. The findings indicate that artificial intelligence makes significant contributions to the guidance profession, particularly in areas such as information access, translation, visual support, and route planning. Most participants believe that artificial intelligence can enhance the quality of the guidance profession. In contrast, they expressed concerns about issues such as ethical problems, professional threats, and reduced human interaction. Experienced guides in particular have approached artificial intelligence with caution, addressing the potential negative impacts of technological advancements on the future of the profession. The research suggests that tourism guide training should be supported by artificial intelligence technologies and that digital literacy and technology adaptation should be given more emphasis in training programs. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Tourist Guiding, Education