Hospitality and Tourism Higher Education in the Post-COVID Era: Is It Time to Change?

• Jing Bill Xu ^[1] ; Pimtong Tavitiyaman ^[1] ; Hyun Jeong Kim ^[2] ; Siu-kam Jamie Lo ^[1]
  1. [1] Hong Kong Polytechnic University

     Hong Kong Polytechnic University

     RAE de Hong Kong (China)

     
  2. [2] Washington State University

     Washington State University

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Journal of hospitality and tourism education, ISSN 1096-3758, Vol. 34, Nº. 4, 2022, págs. 278-290
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Although we have entered the new normal created by the COVID-19 crisis, few studies have offered guidance for the future of hospitality and tourism education. This study attempts to fill this gap by adopting two theories – curriculum theory and stakeholder theory. Thirty participants, consisting of hospitality and tourism students, faculty members, and industry professionals, were interviewed in focus groups. The results demonstrate curricula with a heavy emphasis on technology (artificial intelligence, virtual reality, or big data), marketing, culture/diversity, safety/crisis management, and entrepreneurship; and soft competencies focusing on creativity, self-confidence/positivity, self-care/wellness, critical thinking, leadership and teamwork. Many of these hard and soft skills reflect a greater need for new innovative business ideas and safety/health concerns in the post-COVID era. We hope these results serve as a foundation for educators and other stakeholders involved in setting plans and strategies for hospitality and tourism education in the years to come