INNOVATION IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM EDUCATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON TOUR GUIDES

Abstract

The hospitality and tourism industry has taken a large hit over the course of the past year and a half as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic. Now that many areas around the world are starting to reopen for tourism once more, there is a need to determine the different innovations that have occurred in hospitality and tourism education. Still further, there is a need to understand what recent changes in hospitality and tourism education have occurred, including new innovations, as changes in educational practice within the field of hospitality and tourism education impact those who are already operating within the industry. To this end, the purpose of this study is to determine the influence of innovation in hospitality and tourism education over the course of the past two years in order to identify the impact of these educational changes on hospitality and tourism professionals in general and on tour guides in particular. A case study allowed the researcher to utilize survey data as a means of collecting qualitative and quantitative insights from professionals within the tourism industry. The results of this study led to recommendations regarding modifications to current educational programs within this field of study and recommendations for future areas of study.