Hassles of tour leaders

• Extending hassles research into a tour leader context.
• Utilizing the qualitative approach to explore the hassles of tour leader.
• 13 hassles under three themes were identified by content analysis.
• Contributing to the knowledge by expanding the understanding of hassles experiences on tour leader.

This study conducted in-depth interviews with 15 tour leaders to explore the hassles in tour leaders' personal lives and work. Through content analysis, the hassles of tour leaders were identified and were found consistent with previous literature, namely a three-fold classification of: hassles in guiding tours, hassles from tour companies, and hassles in personal lives. Hassles in guiding tours include the annoying behavior of tour members, troublesome employees of the suppliers, obstacles during the tour, perceptual differences between the tour leader and tour members, and bearing responsibilities for errors caused by others. Hassles from tour companies include unfulfilled duties of tour company staff, inconsistencies between tour features and tour leaders' styles, and the irrational regulations of tour companies. Hassles in personal lives include work–family conflicts, work-related diseases, low and unstable income, hardship in maintaining social relationships, and difficulties in utilizing leisure time properly. Implications for management and future research are discussed.