A comparative study of tour guides' interpretation: the case of Macau

Abstract

The present study aims to explore how tour guides' interpretations influence tourists' experience and their interest in heritage tourism. To examine tour guides' interpretation quality, style, and their impact on the tourist experience, a comparative study of sightseeing and on-site guides was conducted. The results suggest that tour guides should provide tourists with an insightful interpretation and provoke tourists' emotional thoughts in order to help them to achieve a high level of tourist experience with the visited heritage site and arouse their interest in visiting other relevant heritage sites. In addition to communication competence and knowledge, tour guides' motivation for interpretation is also an important factor influencing the quality and style of their interpretation.