
Specialization in Nature Tour Guiding within the Scope of Special Interest Tourism
Chapter from the book:
Bayhan,
İ.
(ed.)
2025.
Special Interest Tourism: A Multidisciplinary Approach .
Synopsis
This study addresses the specialization of nature tour guiding within the context of special interest tourism. It does so through both an extensive literature review and interviews with two expert nature tour guides. The literature review reveals that nature guiding is not merely about navigation or information dissemination; it is a professional field of expertise encompassing multi-layered skills such as ecological awareness, crisis management, leadership, and sustainability. A nature tour guide must develop narration techniques suited to the participant profile, manage intra-group psychological dynamics, and promote environmentally conscious practices. Findings from the interviews concretize the theoretical framework's real-world reflections. Guides simultaneously assume multiple roles, ranging from safety to ecological education, crisis leadership to group cohesion. Psychological states encountered in challenging conditions, such as high-altitude treks, underscore the significance of the guide's leadership and empathy skills. Furthermore, it was emphasized that training programs should not be limited to technical knowledge but should also include topics like environmental law, first aid, and communication with children. In conclusion, specialization in nature tour guiding is identified as a multi-layered process that encompasses institutional, environmental, and ethical responsibilities beyond individual qualifications. In this regard, nature guiding is considered not just a profession but a conscious life practice that transforms the human-nature relationship.