It takes two to tango: Phenomenologizing Filipino Tour Guides experiences of aging foreign tourists’ mindfulness and involvement

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have indicated that aging foreign tourists comprise one of the strongest markets in today’s tourism industry. However, little is known about their mindfulness and involvement during guided tours. Accordingly, this phenomenological study aims to describe the mindfulness and involvement of aging foreign tourists viewed through the lens of a select group of Department of Tourism-accredited tour guides in the Philippines. Thirteen (n = 13) Filipino tour guides were purposively selected and invited to participate in an in-depth semi-structured and individual interview. Through a constant comparative method that analyzed the Filipino Tour Guides’ experiences, a model for understanding aging foreign tourists emerged. Referred to as the Aging Foreign Tourists’ Dartboard of Mindfulness and Involvement, this model characterizes the mindfulness of tourists by four categories, namely: Time orientation, Flexibility orientation, Appreciation orientation, and Expression orientation. The model also framed the nature of aging foreign tourists’ involvement according to three particular qualities categorized as Culture-centric, Strategy-centric, and Group-centric. This paper’s findings offer valuable insights into clarifying the pivotal role of mindfulness and involvement in the success of tours, which in turn provide tour guides with conceptual tools to help them tailor their approaches and strategies in meeting the needs of this category of tourists.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.