Educators’ Perspectives of eLearning in Swiss Private Hospitality Institutions

Abstract

Hospitality education, delivered via traditional and/or contemporary methods, is crucial in preparing students the required managerial competencies to be successful in the hospitality industry. Hence, this study aims to provide a rare insight of hospitality educators’ perspectives of preparing their students the required managerial competencies through eLearning platforms in private hospitality institutions located in Switzerland. Twelve experienced educators were purposively recruited to participate in face-to-face interviews. Then, template analysis was employed to analyze the interview transcriptions to determine the usage of eLearning to prepare students’ administrative, technical, conceptual, interpersonal, and leadership competencies. This study found some educators reluctant to use eLearning, while others were underutilizing the eLearning functions in educating their students. The educators were challenged by time constraints, lack of training, and unmotivated students. Educators were cautioned to employing eLearning platforms. Then, eLearning training was suggested to overcome their challenges.