Tour Guides and Borders

Borders are not only political or geographical boundaries, but they are also perceived as places rich with dynamic history, memory, and identity. In the context of border tourism, borders play a significant role in the work and operations of tour guides. Tour guides interpret borders and border sites, along with the histories and complexities they encompass, transforming politically sensitive or symbolically charged landscapes into meaningful and thought-provoking travel experiences. This study examines how tour guides navigate conflicting histories, balance differing viewpoints, and convey the value and significance of border places, drawing insights from Jordan and perspectives from cultural heritage geography and heritage interpretation. The study emphasizes how tourists’ perceptions of cultural difference, coexistence, and belonging are influenced by tour guides’ emotional engagement and interpretive practices. Data collection is based on qualitative observation and narrative analysis; specifically, the study utilizes auto-ethnographic insights and extensive professional experience as a licensed tour guide in Jordan. The analysis demonstrates how tour guides serve as cultural interpreters and mediators, aiding in place meaning-making while examining their interpretive practices at Jordan’s border sites. This study enhances existing literature by describing how borders – often discussed as places and symbols of division – can also be sites of communication, cultural exchange, and human connection. Furthermore, this research offers new insights into how tour guides contribute to place meaning-making, as it is the first to combine tour guides, interpretation, and border tourism within a Jordanian context.