How has blended learning impacted tourism and hospitality graduates in employability? Feedback from graduates and tourism industry employers
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes
ISSN: 1755-4217
Article publication date: 9 April 2024
Issue publication date: 29 April 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this empirical research is to define blended learning (BL) in the context of tourism education and discuss its effectiveness in learning and, upon completion, the employability of graduates in due cause.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative research consists of 22 in-depth interviews with experts from the tourism industry and graduates. The sampling method was purposive (judgmental), and open-ended questions were asked in order to encourage the interviewee to be expressive and to share their views and opinions on what the impact of the BL program has been.
Findings
The study found that the most significant obstacles were a lack of funding, a lack of cooperation from the local and various levels of government and a lack of knowledge about sustainable tourism product development among local residents.
Originality/value
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the tourism schools and university departments have developed a combination of mixed learning to include online, classroom and sector experience, which can be summarized as BL. This research suggests that BL has provided for a blend of skills and, as a result, employable graduates.
Keywords
Citation
Guden, N. and Safaeimanesh, F. (2024), "How has blended learning impacted tourism and hospitality graduates in employability? Feedback from graduates and tourism industry employers", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 72-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-01-2024-0007
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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