A conceptual model of key competencies and performance outcomes in adventure tour guides: insights from Iran

Adventure tourism, a rapidly expanding sector within the tourism industry, demands adventure tour guides with diverse professional skills and competencies. They are pivotal for ensuring safety, enhancing tourist experiences, and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Despite extensive research, the literature lacks a comprehensive model for identifying and categorizing adventure tour guides’ professional competencies and performance outcomes. This study, conducted in Iran, addresses the research gap by drawing on interviews with 26 experienced adventure tour guides and employing a qualitative approach and thematic analysis. The study identified four primary competency categories: technical, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and sustainability-related. Based on these findings, a comprehensive conceptual model was developed. This model demonstrates how these competencies enhance guide performance in areas such as ensuring safety, personalizing services, and facilitating cultural mediation, thereby generating impacts on three levels: individual (micro), destination (meso), and industry (macro). The proposed model provides a foundation for developing training programs, informs policymaking, and supports the standardization of practices in adventure tourism.