Empowering Mountain Guides in the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark: A Multi-Stakeholder Thematic Saturation Study

Abstract

This study explores the professional development (PD) needs of mountain guides (MG) and aims to develop a structured empowerment model for mountain guide at the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGG). A qualitative and purposive sampling design was utilised in this study. Semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis were conducted, whereby the collected data was obtained from 40 mountain guides, 10 Geopark officials, and 20 climbers of KUGG. Through thematic analysis, data saturation was achieved across the three participant groups, whereby the recurring themes emerged consistently. The study found six key important areas of PD needed by the MG including environmental awareness and sustainability (1), cultural competency (2), visitor management and personalisation (3), advanced training skills (4), safety and emergency preparedness (5), communication and language proficiency (6). This study offers the first empirical grounded empowerment model through integrated multi-stakeholder approach in KUGG to enhance the professional capacity of mountain guide. The study indicates the important role of professionalized mountain guides to support sustainable tourism and engage with preserving the unique cultural and natural heritage in the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark.