ABSTRACT

The fundamental benefit of studying tourism lies not in what we can learn about the phenomenon of tourism itself. Rather, it is what can be learnt through the study of tourism that is arguably of most value (Sharpley, 2011). Putting it another way, the purpose of tourism education, reflecting its roots in hospitality and catering management programmes, has long been to meet the employment needs of a burgeoning economic sector. That is, its explicit aim has been and, in many instances, continues to be the provision of practical knowledge and skills relevant to a career in tourism. Indeed, an analysis of tourism curricula around the world would reveal a predominance of business-and management-related modules, often complemented by practical field visits and industry placements or internships.