Local Tourism Management Occupational Standard and Professional Qualifications for Elevating People in Tourism to an International Standard

Abstract

This research aims to construct and identify professional competencies for people operating activities involved with local tourism to be utilized for elevating and developing competencies of professionals in local tourism in accordance with the needs of entrepreneurs and align with tourism development trends. The samples were 39 key informants involved with local tourism, entrepreneurs, communities, government agencies, business sector, and associations related to tourism. A qualitative approach was employed as a research methodology through a document study, in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and workshop to construct the occupational standard and professional qualification for local tourism. Functional analysis technique was applied to analyze and identify the components of the occupational standard including functional map, key purpose, key role, key function, unit of competence, and element of competence, before the levels of professional qualifications were set. The results revealed that local tourism management occupational standard and qualification framework could be categorized into 6 groups in tourism profession, which were local accommodation operator, local food entrepreneur, local products and souvenirs entrepreneur, local storyteller, local tourism experience designer, and local tourism marketer, comprising of 45 competencies which were required for professionals or personnels who were in local tourism. Besides, these sets of competencies can be utilized as guidelines for developing capacity of local people in tourism communities further.