Tourism Students Research Articles

The Impact Between Self-Efficacy and Community Engagement on Psychological Empowerment in a Gender-Focused Tourism Curriculum: Insights from the WTIDcamp 2023 Program

In numerous studies, psychological empowerment is considered crucial for assessing the extent to which individuals perceive their ability to shape their roles and overcome job difficulties (Speitzer, 1995). As an industry, tourism stands out as one of the sectors predominantly occupied by women, accounting for as much as 55% (UN Women, 2020), thus frequently utilized as a tool for empowerment by various stakeholders (Staudt, 1990; Scheyvens, 2000; Chevalier, 2023). Consequently, it is intriguing to examine how psychological empowerment is construed by tourism workers. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of self-efficacy and community engagement on the psychological empowerment of participants in the WTID Camp 2023. WTID Camp 2023 is a program initiated by Women in Tourism Indonesia aimed at raising awareness among tourism students and fresh graduates regarding the importance of gender equality in the Indonesian tourism industry workforce. This study employed quantitative research using multiple linear regression analysis (Sugiyono, 2010), where multiple linear regression aimed to predict the fluctuations in the dependent variable when two or more independent variables were manipulated (increased or decreased in value). There were 56 samples comprising tourism students participating in the WTID Camp 2023, aged between 18 and 24 years. Data were obtained through questionnaires constructed using Likert scales. The results indicate that community engagement significantly influences psychological empowerment. Similarly, self-efficacy significantly influences community engagement. However, self-efficacy does not significantly influence psychological empowerment.

A serial mediation model for destination choice intention of hospitality and tourism students in an experiential learning context

A serial mediation model for destination choice intention of hospitality and tourism students in an experiential learning context

Tourism Student Satisfaction with Extra-curricular Activities in a Public Higher Education Institution in the Philippines

Higher education institution (HEI) is viewed as a significant driver of individual and national prosperity. HEI in the Philippines like Mindoro State University (MinSU), the only university in the province, delivers student development services that are designed for the exploration, enhancement, and development of the student’s full potential for personal growth, leadership, and social responsibility through various institutional and student-initiated activities. Recognizing this, MinSU is focusing on meeting its students’ needs, expectations, and satisfaction, the ultimate beneficiaries of the educational experience. This study assessed the satisfaction of tourism management students with extra-curricular activities (ECAs) during the academic year 2023-2024. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study utilizes a quantitative survey to gauge overall satisfaction and identify areas of strength and weakness. Additionally, qualitative interviews provide an in-depth exploration of student experiences, allowing them to articulate the “why” behind their satisfaction levels and let them make recommendations. Findings show students prioritized participation in cultural ECAs that provided opportunities to showcase their talents and creativity, contributing to reduced academic stress. Additionally, to improve student preparedness, the Council of Tourism Students Organization might consider a phased implementation of the existing SCALE program for the next semester. This study provides the factors that contribute to student satisfaction with ECAs, ultimately for the development of more engaging and enriching action plans that enhance the holistic experience towards student-initiated activities for lifelong learners as the future tourism industry workforce.

Project-Based Learning (PjBL) Mini Drama to Enhance Motivation and Japanese Communication Skills of Tourism Students

This study discusses how the project-based learning (PBL) method in the form of mini-drama, can improve oral Japanese communication skills and understanding of Japanese culture in the tourism study program at Garut University. The theme of the mini drama chosen was the differences in the habits of Japanese and Indonesian tourists in the context of hospitality. The mini drama was performed in an annual event organized by the tourism study program. The mini drama is 25 minutes long with three different story segments and conflicts. This study used a qualitative approach to measure the improvement of Japanese speaking ability as well as students' perceptions of the application of learning methods. The results showed that the PBL method applied can improve the Japanese oral communication skills of tourism study program students, especially communication using respectful language varieties (keigo) and formal language varieties (teineigo). Students also gave positive responses to the application of the PBL method because it was considered to increase learning motivation, self-confidence, better understanding of the socio-culture of Japanese society, and the ability to collaborate with students from various levels. This study provides implications for curriculum development and Japanese language learning methods in tourism study programs, as well as contributing to research on the effectiveness of the PBL method in Japanese language learning.

English learning motivation, strategies, and information technology capability among Chinese tourism students

English learning motivation, strategies, and information technology capability among Chinese tourism students

The concepts of sustainability value and the application of big data in enhancing the ability of sustainability marketing

PurposeWe seek to contribute to the literature by comparing and analyzing the relationship between Australian and Taiwanese students regarding environmental value attitude, action intention and green marketing intention. Specifically, by comparing the green marketing intention of hospitality and tourism (H&T) students in the East with that in the West.Design/methodology/approachA well-designed curriculum examines student thinking and behavior (learn). This study compares and analyzes the value and attitude and the application of big data to green marketing among Taiwanese and Australian university students using the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses in a sample of 633 H&T students in Taiwan (389) and Australia (244).FindingsThis study also shows how the national differences between Australia and Taiwan have interference effects on the relationship between value attitudes and action intentions and between action intentions and the green marketing intention. We also combined the application of big data and related variables and estimated the mediating effect of related variables to evaluate the impact on action intentions and green marketing of big data applications.Practical implicationsThere are significant differences in the sustainable behavior and intentions of H&T higher education students that reflect the educational differences between the East and the West. These different results may be due to a lack of natural resources and the relatively smaller size of Taiwan. With the strengthening of environmental action intention (AI) and green marketing intention (GMI), Taiwanese hospitality and management (H&M) students' sense of crisis increases, and their performance in GMI is slightly higher than that in Australia.Originality/valueThese findings indicate that it is necessary to consider students' ecological concepts, environmental knowledge, environmental value attitude and environmental action intention to improve their intentions to engage in green marketing under the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework. We also found that environmental knowledge has a mediating effect on the relationship between ecological concepts and environmental value attitude.

When Games get in the way: Gamification Approach for Teaching Maths – A Case Study With Undergraduate Tourism Students

Planning more dynamic and motivating lessons for students is the goal of any teacher, especially maths teachers, a subject where the lack of interest and motivation to learn is so evident and a major concern. Several studies highlight the positive impact of the adoption of gamification strategies in teaching/learning, both in student motivation and in the development of soft skills (teamwork, creativity, decision-making, leadership, communication, and critical thinking). Game-based learning thus promotes students' interest and involves them in this process. In this sense, one of the authors of this study chose to use several (non-digital) games to support the teaching-learning process in her classes. The games used were developed by the authors and have been thoroughly designed to address specific maths topics. The games took various forms, including card games, board games and other hands-on activities. The participants in the study are first-year undergraduate students from a Portuguese higher education institution and encompassed the course of “Quantitative Methods”. The aim of the study is to investigate students’ perceptions of the use of gamification in the maths teaching-learning process. To gather information about students’ insights on the use of games in math classes a quantitative survey was conducted. Similar studies have shown that higher education students are usually receptive to the use of games, finding it useful to increase their motivation and consider game-based learning can positively impact learning. Our findings are in line with those studies.

FAKTOR EKSTERNAL PENGHAMBAT PENCAPAIAN STANDAR KECAKAPAN BAHASA INGGRIS PADA MAHASISWA PARIWISATA BERDASARKAN COMMON ASEAN TOURISM CURRICULUM

This study is aimed to investigate external factors that hinder the students' attainment of English proficiency in the Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum. The study was conducted on tourism students in AKN Lombok Barat. The study used a descriptive qualitative method and the data was gained through competency-based assessment and questionnaire for the students in three subdivisions; Hotel Accommodation, Food Beverages, and Hotel Engineering. The findings showed that several factors hinder the students' achievement of English proficiency standards externally. The external factors comprise the unsupportive college cultural factors; the dominant use of the mother tongue; the lack of English facilities in the college, such as an English listening laboratory to support the learning process; the limited learning hours for English subjects: the lecturers have limited interaction in English, especially outside the classroom; the lecturer has limited strategies in their teaching method, especially in practicing English for specific purposes like in tourism

DEVELOPING INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN TOURISM STUDENTS ALONGSIDE LANGUAGE LEARNING

This paper explores the development of intercultural competence in tourism students alongside language learning, emphasizing its critical role in preparing students for the global tourism industry. Drawing from Byram’s framework of intercultural communicative competence and Deardorff’s assessment models, the study highlights the integration of language and culture in educational settings. It also analyzes the contributions of intercultural education programs, showing how they enhance students’ cultural sensitivity and communication skills. The findings demonstrate the necessity of fostering intercultural awareness and competence to improve students’ professional adaptability in diverse cultural environments.

Application of Storytelling for Marketing Purposes: A Study with Korean Tourism Students

Application of Storytelling for Marketing Purposes: A Study with Korean Tourism Students

Current problems in tourism students instruction: foreign language reading anxiety

Current problems in tourism students instruction: foreign language reading anxiety

Enhancement of Tourism Students’ Well-Being via Online Education: A Framework for Exploration in the Great Bay Area of China

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted tourism education worldwide. In the Great Bay Area of China, where tourism is a key industry, the effects on tourism education directly influence the sector’s development. This study aims to enhance tourism students’ well-being in online education by developing a framework based on social cognitive career theory. This framework explores the antecedents affecting students’ academic performance and life satisfaction during this unprecedented period. Using survey data from tourism students in the Great Bay Area and employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) for analysis, the findings confirm a nomological network. This network elucidates the roles of personal affective traits and external environmental factors on both academic and life satisfaction, mediated by personal dispositional factors such as self-efficacy, expectations, and goal progress.

Developing Material Of English For Tour Guiding Enriched With Balinese Local Wisdom For Tourism Students

Developing Material Of English For Tour Guiding Enriched With Balinese Local Wisdom For Tourism Students

AI Integration on Capacity Building among University Graduate in Tourism Industry

The study assessed integration of AI in capacity building among university graduate in Tourism Industry. The study was started by identify the application of AI in tourism industry and evaluate graduate capability on applying those AI applications related to tourism industry. An additional objective was to identify challenges and provide solution by examine under which circumstances the adoption of AI applications could enable tourism graduates to increase their performance and competency in job market. Furthermore, the study explored the contribution of AI awareness and AI tools optimization to improve graduate employability through Conceptual frame work derived by RBV theory and Goal setting theory. The researchers utilized descriptive research methodology which employed both qualitative and quantitative method. A sample of 55 students from the institute of tourism SUZA were provided by questionnaire to answer specified questions and interview was used to get data from experts in tourism industry. Subsequently, SPSS and Thematic analysis were used to analyze the responded data. The findings noted various tourism students using AI technology in different activities such as Google translator, Google map, gps track, self-service kiosks etc. Moreover, the results of the findings explored the adequacy of existing AI infrastructure at tourism institute is not good in terms of curriculum adaptation. However, the findings further revealed that, there were few number of students who have no idea about AI which result delaying factors during job application and less awareness of online information. Moreover, the findings indicated that high percentage of graduate students agreed that AI has great impact on studies that enhance graduate employability in today world.

The tour guide profession: An attractive option for UAE nationals majoring in tourism?

The UAE is targeting the tourism sector as part of its drive to diversify away from an overdependence on oil and is seeking to attract more nationals to the tour guide profession. The purpose of this research is to assess what factors influence the likelihood of Emirati tourism students considering this vocation. A model that incorporates Career Decision-Making Profile and Arabian Gulf Social Contract dimensions was developed. Survey results ( n = 186) show that the nature of the job is considered attractive and, traits like ‘willingness to compromise’ and ‘independent decision making’, increased the likelihood of choosing the profession. Yet, “classic public sector” job preferences and perceptions on societal sentiment toward the ‘appropriacy’ of nonconventional vocations acted as deterrents. Recommendations are to make higher education internship programs more tailored to the individual student and modify the remit of the tour guide role at government-owned sites and venues.

Impacts of Education Quality Perception on Profession Change Tendency: The Mediating Role of Career Decidedness

ABSTRACT This study aims to determine the effects of education quality perception on career process. The positive developments in tourism flows cause tourism employment to gain importance as an economic phenomenon day by day. However, negativities in matters such as working conditions and personal rights reveal an important problem such as employee turnover rates for tourism employment. It can be concluded that education quality is an important factor in both meeting the qualified personnel need of the tourism industry and decreasing the personnel turnover rate. In the study in which quantitative research methods were used, the questionnaire was preferred as the data collection tool. A total of 436 questionnaires were obtained from tourism students in Turkey. The research revealed the linear relationship between education quality perception and career decidedness. It was concluded that students who have positive perceptions about the quality of their education have low profession change tendency.

Local Identity, Language and Sustainable Tourism: Results of a Survey of Madeira University Tourism Students About their Communities

Local Identity, Language and Sustainable Tourism: Results of a Survey of Madeira University Tourism Students About their Communities

From the classroom to the Living Lab for developing competencies in tourism higher education

Acknowledging the limitations of traditional pedagogy on conventional competencies, this study aims to explore the effectiveness of the Living Lab approach in enhancing students' competencies and propose a Living Lab model in tourism higher education. For this purpose, the data were collected from university students of tourism and hotel management who took a tourism Living Lab class in South Korea in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Adapting Sker and Floričić’s three stages of the Living Lab procedure, this study analyzed the data using feedback from observations, field notes, open-ended questionnaires, and reflective journals that enabled qualitative content analysis. The results of this research manifest four themes: competency in professional development, collaboration and networking, learning agility and adaptability, and emotional connections. Based on these, this study proposes a Living Lab model of tourism higher education and suggests practical implications for higher education institutions.

The Effectiveness of Micro-credential Programme from the Perspective of Tourism Students

Tourism micro-credential programmes have gained significant attention in recent years as a means of enhancing the skills and knowledge of students pursuing careers in the tourism industry. However, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of these programmes from the perspective of tourism students at various universities in Malaysia. These digital proofs of learning serve as evidence of the learner's achievements, knowledge, and experience, which can be utilised to progress towards a more comprehensive certification or degree that focuses on a specific topic of study within a shorter time. Despite the increasing use of this platform in recent years, there are limited studies discussing its impact on students' perceptions and its effectiveness in enhancing their engagement with tourism subjects. Thus, this research was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the micro-credential programmes from the perspective of tourism students so that they can be managed more effectively in higher education institutions. To obtain data, the qualitative technique of interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was applied to thoroughly examine the participants’ actual experiences. The participants were selected among the tourism students from various universities in Malaysia that offer tourism and hospitality courses. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis, which enabled the identification of four themes and fourteen codes. The findings highlighted that the students have positive experiences following micro-credential programmes. Further research should be carried out to ensure micro-credential programmes stay relevant in a constant tourism industry.

Food Safety Knowledge Among Tourism Faculty Undergraduates in Slovenia: Can Social Media Leverage Educational Gaps?

Education on food safety is vital, especially for future tourism managers undergoing training at universities. This study aims to assess the food safety knowledge of student seniors in the two Slovenian public tourism faculties, compare it with previous European and Southeast European studies, and explore the impact of social media use on food safety knowledge among tourism students. The research method utilised a questionnaire-based approach that surveyed three academic years of students until 2023/2024 from the two Slovenian public tourism faculties. Data analysis involved descriptive and bivariate statistics. The research reveals a notable scarcity of studies investigating students’ food safety knowledge within the EU. The results indicate that the average food safety knowledge score among Slovenian tourism undergraduates was 52.6%, raising serious concerns as it is lower than such scores reported in similar studies outside the EU, in Serbia and in Turkey. Slovenian tourism undergraduates demonstrated low elementary knowledge about personal hygiene and the spread of foodborne diseases. Curricula analysis showed the absence of mandatory hygiene and food safety courses at Slovenian tourism faculties, and most students (64%) recognised the need for food safety knowledge education. The findings suggest that neither students’ work experience in the hospitality industry during their studies (compulsory education at the workplace should be provided for all persons involved in food processing) nor following the food safety information on social media could compensate for the lack of formal education. This study underscores the urgency of introducing a comprehensive food safety curriculum in Slovenian tourism faculties to ensure future managers are equipped with essential food safety knowledge.