The value and benefits of fieldtrips in tourism and hospitality education

Abstract

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0pt 0in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;" lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-size: small;">The objective of this article is to understand how the use of fieldtrips can enhance students’ educational experience in Tourism and Hospitality education. A total of 23 students who participated in a fieldtrip as part of their hospitality and tourism degree programme were included in this research. A comparison study was conducted among Year 1 and Year 2 undergraduates to examine differences between their perception of fieldtrips and their educational experience. Results revealed two key categories of attitudes: 1) learning towards subject, and 2) interest toward subject as motivational factors through fieldtrips. A key finding revealed Year 1 students’ attitude towards fieldtrips as an enhancement to their education whereas Year 2 students viewed fieldtrips as a form of learning towards their future career pathway.</span></span></p><p class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;" lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></strong></p><p> </p>