Destination spokespersons:

characterizing the work of tourist guides in Brazil

Abstract

The world of work has undergone profound transformations, becoming more intense, flexible and precarious, with the withdrawal of labor rights, the increase in outsourcing and informality, wage cuts, longer and more flexible working hours, the weakening of union actions and the appreciation of the ideology of entrepreneurship. Tourism workers have also been affected by these metamorphoses, including tourist guides, the first and only recognized and regulated profession in the sector in Brazil. The tourist guides are the professionals who guide, accompany and pass on information to tourists, providing knowledge about the local culture and attractions. They mediate between tourists, the host community and companies, contributing to the quality of services and preserving the identity and values of the destination. However, little is known about their profile and the dimensions and conditions of their work. The objective was therefore to characterize the work of tourist guides in Brazil and, specifically, to analyze the quality and conditions of their work, identifying the main manifestations of precariousness. The methodology included bibliographical and documentary research, questionnaires, and interviews. The results indicate that the work of the tourist guide differs from that of the other ACTs, especially in terms of age and schooling; it is similar because of the long hours, low income, high informality and encouragement to 'pejotization'. By understanding these characteristics, it can be concluded that, despite being a recognized and regulated profession, it presents precarious conditions, especially in view of the long working hours and the high level of informality, which leaves workers unassisted by labor rights. Finally, there are new problems, so it is imperative to encourage further discussions about the working conditions of tourist guides, while at the same time stimulating the collective organization of the class, in order to combat the precariousness of work.