Affiliation:
1. Asian Institute of Tourism, University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines
2. College of Home Economics, University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines
Abstract
This chapter asks the question: How do broader sociological forces affect the production of tourism knowledge? This is a problem posed by Tribe and Liburd in 2016 when they proposed a reconceptualization of the structure, systems, processes, and outcomes that define the field of tourism. Using the Enhanced Basic Education Act or Republic Act No. 10533 as the starting point, the chapter contributes to the discussion by looking at the formulation of curricula in tourism and hospitality in the Philippines, and examining the structure that has evolved from the interaction of forces, stakeholders, and processes. FGDs were conducted to gain insights into the issue. Findings show that wider socioeconomic forces, mediated by a range of stakeholders, dictate the content and direction of tourism and hospitality higher education. The findings demonstrate the permeability of the higher education sector to external actors, processes, and institutional arrangements, as stakeholders view tourism and hospitality education from the lens of neoliberalism. The chapter concludes by suggesting theoretical implications.