Diagnóstico de la formación profesional y la competencia laboral de los guías naturalistas del Parque Nacional el Cajas según el mercado turístico actual

Abstract

We can start by mentioning that the Cajas National Park is one of the best selling tours by authorized operators in Cuenca, and nature guides have an important role in the interpretation of this area. However, the tourist activities in which people relate and interact, in this case nature guides and tourists, raise concerns and questions. For example,how can tourist know for sure that the CNP nature guides are qualified andthat they can meet the needs of tourists? Also, remember that nature guides are the representatives of the tour operator and the site wherethe tourists are visiting.

With this in mind, this research begins by identifying general characteristics of what it means to be a tourism guide and specificallya nature guide. Then we examinethe guides’ beginnings in history, classification, functions and duties in accordance with regulations stipulated by qualified authorities in Ecuador. Next, we discuss general aspects of the training of guides and compare job competencywith the minimum requirements of the Standard INEN 2444:2008.This is done to determine the real needs of the tourism market in relation to the services offered by guides through the tour operators.

And finally, the characteristics of an ideal nature guide working in the CNP are identified, based on real data that I researched, and according to the three pillars of sustainable tourism: social, economic, and environmental.