ENGLISH PODCAST TOURS AS
INTERPRETATIVE MEDIA
RECORRIDOS PODCASTS EN INGLÉS COMO
MEDIO INTERPRETATIVO
Gustavo Enrique Toapanta Rodríguez
Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Ecuador
Lescano Toapanta María Marlene
Ministerio de Educación, Ecuador
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v8i5.14147
English Podcast Tours as Interpretative Media
Gustavo Enrique Toapanta Rodríguez1
ge.toapantar@uea.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5891-3528
Universidad Estatal Amazónica
Ecuador
María Marlene Lescano Toapanta
Maria.lescano@educacion.gob.ec
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8188-6607
Ministerio de Educacion
Ecuador
ABSTRACT
One of the dynamic forms of the interpretive medium has involved podcast tours, which represent an
innovative digital tool of engaging visitors with educational and cultural information in tourism. This
paper discusses the use of podcasts as a means of delivering interpretive information normally provided
for guided tours. Examines how podcasts improve accessibility, encourage deeper engagement through
digital listening content, and how they compensate for the lack of use of English as a lingua franca for
communication between foreign visitors and tour guides. To this end, the research aims to analyze the
influence of podcast tours in English as digital tools in interpretive communication with foreign visitors
in Nueva Loja Tourist Park, Sucumbíos province. An exploratory research method was used by
changing guide written scripts into auditory information and measuring the results through interviews
and surveys with tourist guides and foreign visitors in the park. The results suggest that podcast tours
can never replace face-to-face experiences, yet they may be a necessary complement. The article
concludes with a discussion of the potential for podcast tours to innovate and extend interpretive media
in tourism in terms of technologies.
Keywords: podcasts, innovate, english, interpretative, tourism
1
Autor principal.
Correspondencia: ge.toapantar@uea.edu.ec
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Recorridos Podcasts en Inglés como Medio Interpretativo
RESUMEN
Una de las formas dinámicas del medio interpretativo ha involucrado los recorridos podcast, que
representan una herramienta digital innovadora para atraer a visitantes con información educativa y
cultural en turismo. Este artículo analiza el uso de podcasts como medio para entregar información
interpretativa que normalmente se proporciona en visitas guiadas. Examina cómo los podcasts mejoran
la accesibilidad, fomentan una participación profunda a través de contenido de escucha digital y cómo
compensan la falta del uso del inglés como lengua franca para la comunicación entre visitantes
extranjeros y guías turísticos. Para ello, la investigación tiene como objetivo analizar la influencia de
los tours podcast en inglés como herramientas digitales en la comunicación interpretativa con visitantes
extranjeros en el Parque Turístico Nueva Loja, provincia de Sucumbíos. Se utilizó un método de
investigación exploratoria, transformando guiones escritos de guianza en información auditiva y
midiendo los resultados a través de entrevistas y encuestas a guías turísticos y visitantes extranjeros en
el parque. Los resultados sugieren que los tours de podcasts nunca reemplazarán las experiencias
presenciales, pero pueden ser un complemento necesario. El artículo concluye con una discusión sobre
el potencial de podcasts tours para innovar y ampliar los medios interpretativos en el turismo en
términos de tecnologías.
Palabras clave: podcasts, innovar, inglés, interpretativo, turismo
Artículo recibido 05 septiembre 2024
Aceptado para publicación: 10 octubre 2024
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INTRODUCTION
With the advent of the digital era, the incorporation of technological advancements in the tourism
industry has shifted from being an optional choice to an indispensable element in modern guidance
systems. In particular, the ways in which language can be interpreted by the tourists have changed
sufficiently because of the use of different active instruments which provide greater interactivity,
individualization, and the opportunity to work out of advanced content. Internet sources such as these
digital tools, the websites and the more advanced computer programs have been the major facilitators
towards this transformation. Regardless of their mother tongue, travelers can now experience more
meaningful and in-depth exploration of their trip destinations through lingua franca like English because
to technological advancements that have enabled the construction of more dynamic and interactive
simulation settings (Tukhtabayeva, Akhatova, Malik, & Howes, 2021).
As the tourism industry continues to evolve, it comes as no surprise that audio tours have become a
popular way to explore new destinations. Because those stories perfectly interweave the narrative of
local history, such an audio tour allows any interaction over the material presented at one’s pace. Thanks
to the cell phone, known as a guide in conventional views, a new profession, tour-podcast-a-real-
podcast, is emerging in this age of technology, various places of interest are become virtual ones in the
presentation of the tour guide. Podcast tours are more suited for how individual travelers wish to explore
the respective places in detain rather than taking the general excursion provided. They can appeal to
many different preferences. The development of podcast tours is changing the world order of tourism
in the direction of an interesting combination of learning, well-told stories and travel. Their
attractiveness is based on their ability to provide an engaging experience accompanied with ease of use.
(Kang & Gretzel, 2012). On the other had, the term ‘interpretative media’ includes a variety of devices
and efforts oriented towards information provision in a academic or cultural spirit in order to make a
certain theme resonate more with the audience. The purpose is to make complex or odious subjects
enjoyable and meaningful for the people, in short, to turn the uninteresting into the interesting. This sort
of media is commonly used in the contexts of museums, national parks, heritage sites, zoos and so on,
where there is a necessity to provide information about nature, history of mankind, art or science to
people. (Wolf, Stricker, & Hagenloh, 2013)
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In regard to the above details, this study aims to explore the impact of the use of English podcast tours
as a form of interpretation for the Nueva Loja recreational park visitors. Moreover, the distinguishing
feature of this park is its status as a city-based forest, coupled with its offering of thematic areas and
services such as; children's games, ecological trail, exhibition of Amazonian wildlife species, and
indigenous nationalities area. These services are facilitated by two naturalist guides who are official
representatives of INMOBILIAR and also practicing students from Universidad Estatal Amazonica of
tourism career, who have a B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference
(CEFR) in the command of the English language (Reglamento de Régimen Académico, 2022). These
guides possess a tourism background and exclusively employ the Spanish language for in-person
information dissemination for foreing visitors. Consequently, the utilization of technology and English
language in this communicative endeavor is minimal. Additionally, the guiding activities are based on
written scripts, where usually the person in charge of taking the group through the park reads the
information about its attractions. However, this information is often not understood correctly by foreign.
Also, the absence of information about the activities and services offered by the park is noted, so, the
creation of material with interactive and didactic information about the services and activities that can
be carried out in this place is insufficient. Finally, raising awareness among tourists and visitors about
the importance of natural attractions, promoting sustainable and sustainable tourism, has not been
shared with foreign tourists who want to obtain information about the natural environment of the park.
(Burbano, 2019).
With this in mind, our objective is to understand the interests, motivations, needs, and expectations that
the implementation of podcast tours could elicit in local tourist guides and foreign visitors. At the same
time, the importance of the present study lies in the impact of the use of digital tools as interpretive
means. Recognizing the significance of a globalized world, internet access, and information distribution
are paramount, this project seeks to engage visitors and tourist guides through podcasts, bridging the
gap to the technological realm.
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Literature Review
Podcasts
The term podcasting originated from the fusion of pod, meaning capsule, and broadcasting, meaning
transmission or diffusion, signifying the transmission of encapsulated content. When viewed from this
perspective, the podcast is a compact audio or visual content distributed online, whose value and
usefulness depend on the user's auditory preferences or needs (Checa García, 2013). Podcasting was
originally coined to describe a unique radio format that relied on iPod players. Its affordability and
availability of captivating content motivated users to actively seek more information. Consequently,
podcasts serve the purpose of facilitating communication through the Internet (Hammersley, 2004).
From the above statements it is clear that a podcast is only an internet connection that transmits,
distributes or allows to download multimedia material (audio & video). For the purpose of reaching this
aim, concrete webpages have been created which enables users to look for and obtain the above
mentioned knowledge with the aid of the positioned web page link. Eventually, this information is
downloaded and replicated on technological devices like cell phones, tablets, or computers. These
websites offer access through either subscriptions or free pages, allowing users to create and share
multimedia content on the network.
Considering all of its benefits to viewers and content producers, podcasting has emerged as an essential
aspect of contemporary digital media. The most important aim of podcasting is dissemination of
information, stories, and views in an effective and interesting way. Podcasts are an extremely flexible
form of media as people can listen to them while doing different activities such as working out, driving,
or staying at home. Podcasts not only provide convenience but also create a sense of community around
them. The topics of episodes are produced which range from strategies of marketing to a true crime.
This kind of difference helps bring unity among the like-minded listeners. (Prescott, 2024).
Countless types of podcasts exist today. Among the formats that have enjoyed notable success are:
▪ Interview Podcasts – In this case, a third party, or a guest is invited by the host to participate in the
discussion. They can touch on such topics as science, politics, entertainment and many others. This
pattern enables the audience to engage in extensive discussions of various issues by talking only.
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▪ Solo Podcasts – In this arrangement, there is only one host and he addresses the audience in this
setup. From public speaking to personal storytelling to providing professional assistance, any
subject will do. Solo podcasts are normally more personal in terms of the audience.
▪ Panel Podcasts – These include a number of hosts and/or guests discussing particular topics. The
style of depiction is often very lively and active scene with a lot of arguments and different opinions.
▪ Narrative Podcasts – These tell stories that can be fictional or based on truth. To enhance the realism
of the experience, they can also use music and sound effects among other elements. (Team Zorgle,
2024).
Taking into account that one of the formats employed in podcasts permits narration and the inclusion
of reality-based elements, such as ambient sounds, its efficacy has been recognized in the utilization of
podcast tours. This is because scripts can be recorded in audio format and are employed to deliver
information to visitors at diverse tourist destinations. Consequently, tourism podcast tours provide
audio-guided experiences for travelers to explore destinations through the use of pre-recorded
narratives. These tours provide comprehensive knowledge about landmarks, cultural sites, historical
events, and local stories via podcasts, accessible through smartphones or other portable devices. Podcast
tours offer a distinct alternative to traditional guided tours as they allow travelers the flexibility to
explore at their own pace. Podcast tours enhance the traveler's knowledge and appreciation of the
destination through curated audio content. Often, the tour is led by a local, a subject matter expert or a
proficient storyteller, which adds to the personal touch of the immersive experience. (Liao & Bartie,
2022).
Utilizing podcastc tours as digital audio guides, like SmartGuide and its CMS, offers travel destinations
a unique opportunity to enhance guest experience and showcase local exclusivity. The combination of
an easy-to-use interface and a robust content management system have made creating and publishing
digital guides easier than never before. This great empowerment because of technology enables travel
destinations to increase visitor numbers, to reinvent their tourism industry in creative ways and gives
travelers the freedom to explore their surroundings at their leisure. Digital guides also create the
opportunity to promote not-your-traditional destination of places, places that travelers would never have
heard of and are considered hidden gems that will help local economies and build relationships.
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The energy and enhanced value for both tourists and destinations with digital guides is made possible
by the ease to update and share a global audience's worth of content. Realize the changing value of
digital guides to expose new opportunities to share your community stories and cultural experience with
the global community. (Wong, Shu Ju, & Lee, 2015).
In conclusion, digital guides allow the visitor to very much personalize their experience and provide
more flexibility; there is also a wide variety of multimedia information, ranging from pictures and
videos, to interactive maps and augmented virtual reality (VR) experiences provided by digital guides.
An incredible advantage of digital guides is the ability to deliver total and layered content that is
appropriate for the intended audience, including different content for children/adults. Digital guides
also bypass network limits and provide access to full content even in locations that suffer from
inadequate network situations. They welcome guests from diverse language backgrounds and provide
support in multiple languages, although we will focus our attention on English in this paper.
Interpretative media
Interpretative media are the various tools and techniques employed in the dissemination of data
regarding some source that, further more, enables the audience to better comprehend it. Major intention-
of interpretative media-is not just to state facts but to interpret the significance of the subject being
presented. It brings meaning to the subject matter, placing it into context, narrative, and relation to the
viewer. This can be done in several methods, such as audios, digital displays, videos, prints, mobile
applications, and interaction with exhibits, to mention but a few (Sutrisno, 2023).
In the context of guidance, interpretive media will consist of various tools and methods through which
information about an object is presented while at the same time creating an atmosphere that fosters
further understanding of the subject. The primary goal of interpretive media is to interpret what the
presented information means about the subject, rather than stating it. It adds meaning to the subject that
can then be utilized to give context, a story, and deeper levels of engagement to the audience. The
information can be communicated by using a range of different media, from mobile applications and
interactive exhibits to digital displays, audio guides, and printed materials. Interpretive media create an
experience to make passive observation active learning. Through interesting and relevant content,
interest is sparked with the understanding of the subject deepened.
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The approach commonly finds its use in such areas as tourism, education, heritage sites, museums, and
environmental conservation, among others, where the visitor has to understand the importance of a
location or concept. (Abdulrahaman, et al., 2020).
There are a lot of various interpretive media types, and each of them corresponds to certain function
regarding the context and the needs of the audience. The following are among the most popular types:
▪ Audio Guides: These are common in historical places, galleries, and museums, as they serve to
supply visitors with information as they go along. Audio guides provide a means of self-paced
exploration and often supply in-depth commentary on specified exhibits, pieces of art, or historical
sites. Podcasts can also serve similar purposes by providing interpretive content delivery in a much
more adaptable and portable means.
▪ Printed Materials and Signage: Interpretive media traditional examples include brochures, maps,
and informational signs, each of which has a degree of usefulness in many contexts today. These
resources serve to help guide the guest through the experience and provide the background
knowledge needed. Using effective signing can distill complex historical or environmental data into
concise, understandable formats.
▪ Videos and Documentaries: One of the best ways to convey complex ideas and stories is through
visual storytelling. Documentaries and videos can tell the stories behind a historical event, a cultural
practice, or an environmental struggle through sound, sight, and emotion. Because of this, it allows
for deeper engagement (Rodrigo-Ginés, Carrillo-de-Albornoz, & Plaza, 2024).
Taking into account that audio guides are popular with foreign tourists, the goal of interpretive media
is to enhance the visitor experience by making the engagement with the subject matter more engaging,
instructive, and enjoyable. It can turn what would be a rather banal visit into a journey of discovery,
where people are better able to connect with the spaces they visit. Consider an audio guide that describes
the ecosystem, the species that live in it, and conservation efforts-enhancing even a simple walk through
a nature preserve. Interpretive media also addresses different learning styles, since whereas some would
fare better with audio or visual, others might want to read about something in depth. In any case,
interpretative media simply ensures a bigger audience for the message, since several avenues of
engagement with the subject matter are availed to the audience.
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This enhanced experience translates into closer ties with the destination in tourism terms. Tourists are
more likely to regard with respect and appreciate a place when they know that it is important for one
reason or another, whether that be historical, cultural, or environmental. This may also have effects on
more environmentally careful forms of tourism where tourists can help 'pay' to preserve the places they
visit (Rasoolimanesh, Seyfi, Hall, & Hatamifar, 2021).
It has many disadvantages to balance out all of the advantages. First of all, there is an accessibility issue:
because visitors vary in their experience with digital tools, some may find apps and interactive exhibits
difficult to navigate. Secondly, there is a need to refresh the content constantly, especially in matters
involving science and history where new discoveries are identified almost every day (Townley & Koop,
2024). This could be even further enhanced through future technological developments in the fields of
virtual reality and artificial intelligence. These can now support the development of more immersive
and personalized experiences, which can adapt to the visitor's interests and knowledge levels. Whatever
the case, a balance between innovation with accessibility and inclusivity should be maintained to allow
interpretive media to keep enhancing the experience of visitors (Rani, Jining, Xaba, & Ranjan, 2023).
In conclusion, interpreting media in English language for tourism industry is a very relevant tool with
which an experience for the visitor can be enriched by adding depth to knowledge, interpretation, and
interaction with the rich history, culture, and environment of this region. The rich historical sites, large
lands, and vibrant cultural scenes attract millions of international visitors to England every year.
Interpretive media becomes an increasingly vital factor in turning traveler visits into educational
experiences beyond merely seeing the sights, as more and more people seek to gain a deeper connection
with the places they visit. For this reason, in real-life through interpretative media, which enables
learners to practice English in a natural environment. While tourists are interacting with digital
resources that explain something historical or cultural, they are also being exposed to what real English
sounds like, and such things as sentence structure, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Finalmente, para cerrar el apartado de la introducción se mencionarán las hipótesis (si las hubiera), y el
o los objetivos que marcarán el propósito del estudio.
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METHODOLOGY
Two basic strategies for collecting data for research are qualitative and quantitative approaches, each
with specific goals and procedures. When used in conjunction with surveys, interviews can provide
insightful information (Ugwu & Eze, 2023). The qualitative approach aims at gathering as much
information as possible concerning people's attitudes, emotions, and experiences. It provides an in-
depth understanding of "why" and "how" human behavior is manifested with detailed, rich narratives.
One of the most valuable tools in qualitative research is the interview. Since they are normally open-
ended, the respondents have leeway to say anything. Such a method aims at gathering inclusive ideas
that might not come through in formal questionnaires (DiCicco-Bloom & Crabtree, 2006).
On the other hand, quantitative approach seeks to gather data in a numerical format that can later be
analyzed statistically. It aims at assigning numbers to tendencies, activities, or opinions and, as such,
often answers questions of the form "how much," "how many," or "how often." One of the most
frequently applied tools within quantitative research is the questionnaire. They are generally designed
using closed questions that can, through categorical or numerical data analysis, test a hypothesis
(Ghanad, 2023).
For these reasons, this paper uses an inductive, deductive, analytical, and synthetic descriptive cross-
sectional design qualitative-quantitative study. Quantification will be obtained through surveys of
foreign visitors and interviews with the park guides and students form Universidad Estatal Amzonica.
These will be a mix of ages and experience levels so that various viewpoints can be shared.
For data collection, this research will be divided into four phases;
1. The Spanish-language written guides in existence within the park will be reviewed and later
transformed into English texts.
2. The texts will be recorded in audio format (Podcasts), both in English and Spanish, thanks to the
collaboration of students from the Universidad Estatal Amazónica. Later, the audio files will be
loaded into a data cloud platform so that a QR code can be assigned to each file.
3. The QR codes will be positioned at key places within the attractions of the park to enable the
scanning for accessing the interpretive media describing every particular attraction.
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4. At the end of the tour, foreign visitors will be asked to complete a survey of structured questions,
and finally, guides and student practitioners will be interviewed about the experience of
implementing the English podcasts.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Podcasts represent an innovative, engaging, and easily accessible interpretative medium whereby
tourists can work with cultural, historical, and environmental information at their own pace. In this
section, we present the findings of our investigation into the effectiveness of podcasts as a form of
guided tour medium while discussing their effects on visitor satisfaction, experience gained by tour
guides, and engagement.
Key trends and insights emerge from an analysis of survey data and qualitative comments from visitors
who undertook podcast audio tours. The benefits and challenges of guiding a tour with a podcast will
be discussed here, putting them into perspective in relation to more traditional guided tour methods and
how they might shape experiences of travel in years to come.
Table 1. Population
Population
Number
Percentage
Students
4
4%
Tour guides
2
2%
Foreign visitors
84
94%
TOTAL
90
100%
Note: The distribution of participants throughout the park of Nueva Loja is displayed in this table.
Procedure
Tour Guides Interview
As it was told before, after finishing the Podcasts tour in the park, two guides and four students who
were managing the tourists were interviewed. It came out that:
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Table 2. Interview analysis
Tour Guides
Students
Analysis and interpretation
The work as a tour guide
is facilitated since we can
present information in
Spanish in a traditional
way and at the same time
information in English
with the use of
technology.
During the tour, we were
able to reach all the foreign
visitors with information,
since some were enthralled
with the exhibition in their
native language.
Podcasts improve the work
of guides, since they can be
understood more easily with
foreign visitors and not get
bogged down in
presentations only in Spanish
Foreign visitors enjoyed
using podcasts to
reinforce what they’ve
learned afterward
listening to the
information in Spanish.
By listening to podcasts
before arriving at the
attractions, foreign visitors
were more engaged and
better prepared for the in-
person experience.
Podcasts can reach tourists
before, during, and after their
visit because of the use of
English as lingua Franca
Some foreign visitors
listened to the podcasts at
their own pace, it could
be helpful for those who
want to explore parts of
the park independently
The sensory combination of
mother tongue and
environment could deepen
their understanding of the
park’s significance.
By combining the natural
environment of the park with
the use of podcasts during the
tour, it makes the tourist
effectively understand the
information presented
independently
Since live tours are
usually time-
constrained, we as guides
might not be able to go
into as much detail as a
podcast
While podcasts allow visitors
to explore independently,
they can miss out on the
immersive atmosphere a live
guide can create through
storytelling about the park
Podcasts are a valuable
feedback tool because guides
do not have enough time to
do so, however this also
reduces the interaction
between guide and visitor.
Yes, because podcast
tours can be a fantastic
option for many foreign
or local visitors,
particularly those
interested in educational
tourism
Yes, however, there were
some problems with visitors
because they should be
prepared for potential
technical issues like internet
connection
Podcasts are recommended
for educational tourism
development, however
technical problems during
their implementation could
limit proper dissemination of
their content.
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Global Analysis
The results obtained from the interviews demonstrate that podcast tours are digital tools that facilitate
the reception of auditory information that comes from tourist guides to visitors, especially foreigners
who use the English language as a lingua franca (interpretive media). In addition, these tools allow
visitors to take tours independently. However, the use of these tools limits the interaction between
visitors and park guides. In addition, sudden technological problems can affect the correct use of mobile
devices during podcast implementation such as; low batteries of mobile devices, connectivity failures,
etc.
Survey for foreing visitors
In this section, the results of surveys of structured-based questions applied to 90 foreign visitors who
listened to audio podcasts content through QR links were analyzed.
Graphic 1. Interpretative media
When analyzing the question about interpretive media, the following data is obtained; 83% of those
surveyed think that the content of podcast tours always provides a clear and understandable
interpretation of the shared listening content. On the other hand, 13% of participants believe that podcast
content is sometimes clear. Finally, 4% of visitors claim that podcast content never transmits clear
interpretive information or is not understandable. This result demonstrates that podcast tours in English
as interpretive means of the Spanish language are understandable, taking into account that said content
has been translated from the guide text of the Nueva Loja tourist park.
0
20
40
60
80
100
Always Sometimes Never
83
13 4
Was the interpretation provided in the podcast clear
and understandable?
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Graphic 2. Podcasts Engage
According to the data obtained in this questionnaire, it was observed that 88% of those surveyed
mentioned that they felt involved with the content presented, that is, the written guide transformed into
auditory content. In turn, 12% mention that sometimes the podcast's auditory content involves them
with the guiding theme presented, and finally no respondent believes that the podcast content never
involves them with the tour. Seen in this way, podcast tours help visitors feel involved with the tour in
the Nueva Loja tourist park.
Graphic 3. Podcast Effectiveness
According to the data obtained and represented in graph 4, it is shown that 96% of respondents state
that Podcast content is effective in English language in the absence of a written guide designed in that
language. Additionally, 4% state that the listening content of podcasts sometimes helps to compensate
for the lack of information in English. Finally, no respondent mentioned that this auditory content never
0
20
40
60
80
100
Always Sometimes Never
88
12 0
Did the podcast engage you with the tour topics?
0
20
40
60
80
100
Always Sometimes Never
96
40
Did you find the podcast effective in compensating
for the lack of English language references?
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compensates for the lack of information in English. Therefore, podcast tours serve as a tool that
compensates for the lack of content in a lingua franca. This is because the park only has guides written
in Spanish language, and thanks to podcasts it has been possible to compensate for this deficit.
Graphic 4. Podcasts for exploring
According to the data established on graphic 4, it is established that 79% of foreign visitors are always
interested in exploring the park in more depth thanks to the auditory information provided by the
podcasts. On the other hand, 17% of visitors say that they sometimes become interested in exploring
the park after having received digital auditory content. Finally, 4% of those interviewed say that they
will never be interested in exploring the park despite receiving auditory information in podcasts.
Consequently, the auditory content of the podcasts motivates foreign visitors to become more interested
in exploring the Nueva Loja recreational park.
Graphic 5. Recommending podcasts
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Always Sometimes Never
79
17
4
After listening, are you interested in exploring the
topics about the park further?
0
20
40
60
80
100
Always Sometimes Never
84
8 8
Would you recommend this format of podcast tours
to others?
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For the analysis of graph 5, it was observed that 88% of participants in the podcasts project would
always recommend this type of digital tours, while 8% would sometimes recommend it. Finally, 8% of
visitors would never recommend this digital material. Consequently, it can be stated that visitors who
were exposed to the digital tool podcasts during their tour of the park would suggest implementing this
type of material for other visitors.
CONCLUSIONS
With the analysis of data obtained through the collection instruments applied to determine the influence
of tour podcasts tour as interpretive media of the English language in the Nueva Loja Tourist Park, it
can be determined that; by transforming written material into auditory digital material, podcast tours
provide flexible, accessible means for foreign visitors to engage with interpretative content, and, in
letting listeners explore the tourist attractions of the park at a time and pace that suit them. It tends to
break down barriers related to time, and accessibility, allowing more people to learn about and
experience using digital tools.
On the other hand, it has been determined that Podcasts are potential powerful tools for storytelling.
Because of the potency of audio descriptions, combined with soundscapes, create an immersive and
emotive bond with tour content that should be significantly better remembered.
Additionally, podcast tours are great supplements to the traditional in-person tours, not a replacement.
They can provide richer auditory information after a visit or better prepare visitors for on-site
experiences. They also provide a vehicle for tour guides who cannot engage in a tour too deeply because
of the time by engaging the tourists to get information feedback themselves with the same interpretive
material.
Finally, the challenge for podcast tours is the balance between the depth of content and the span of
listenership. While it can offer rich, in-depth insights, maintaining engagement over a longer period of
a tour requires an overall balance in terms of pace, structure, and tone.
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