The four-way approach of tourism students towards a post–Covid-19 world and the future of tourism

Abstract

This study explores current tertiary tourism students’ post-pandemic career strategies and their visions towards Egypt’s post–Covid-19 tourism future. The data were collected through 29 semi-structured in-depth interviews with 29 students majoring in tourism management at the University of Alexandria, Egypt. Findings demonstrate that in order to adapt to the tourism workforce in post–Covid-19 Egypt, students adopted a four-way approach: a dual temporal perspective, individual agency, parental support and active imagination of lifelong careers and reimagining the future of Egypt’s tourism in the post-pandemic era. The four approaches are conceptualized in relation to participants’ strategies and concerns towards future career paths and the Egyptian tourism industry in the post-viral world. In this regard, students’ perceptions can guide policymakers, hotel professionals and government agencies to develop post-pandemic strategies and programs to meet the changing needs and expectations of post-pandemic tourists, as well as students. Finally, the study indicates avenues for future research directions related to the findings and limitations.