Integrating spirituality in tourism higher education: A study of tourism educators' perspectives

Abstract

Academic discourse supporting the inclusion of spirituality in higher education has grown across many disciplines. Scholars are arguing for the integration of spirituality into the contemporary intellectual landscape. However, the significance of spirituality to tourism higher education has not been adequately understood and little research has been undertaken.This paper presents findings from a qualitative study exploring tourism educators' perspectives about the role and importance of spirituality in tourism higher education. Based on the findings from in-depth interviews of tourism educators, the author presents a discussion and examination of respondents' interpretation of spirituality, their viewpoints on the inclusion of spirituality in tourism education, including the perceived challenges and the effects of embodying a spiritually-grounded paradigm on classroom teaching and learning experiences. Recommendations are provided on how a meaningful engagement of spirituality can be fostered in tourism higher education.