Educational tours as a learning mechanism in the learning experience of Tourism students: Tourism Management Walter Sisulu University (Ibika Campus)
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Date
2019
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Abstract
Though research has been done on tourism education, very few research studies have
been conducted that explore educational tours as a learning mechanism for tourism
students. The study was undertaken to explore the value of educational tours as a
learning mechanism in the learning experience of tourism students of Walter Sisulu
University on the Ibika Campus. Literature reviewed identified various factors that
affect learning including the value and benefits of educational tours, as well as
indicating the challenges associated with the planning and making sure that these
tours bring value and are in alignment with the objectives and learning outcomes of
the tourism degree. The tourism curriculum embraces integration of both theory and
practical at all levels of the tourism program.
The study made use of a qualitative approach, with individual interviews with lecturing
staff and focus group interviews with the students. A purposive sampling method was
employed to select three focus groups of students who were registered for second
year in Tourism Management, chosen mainly because they had already experienced
educational tours in their first year and second year of their studies. Two lecturers
from Tourism Management were chosen for the study because they were involved in
the planning of educational tours and they always accompany the students when
travelling to different destinations.
The findings of this study, obtained through focus group interviews and individual
interviews revealed that both students and lecturers perceive educational tours as a
valuable learning mechanism to the student’s professional development as aspiring
tourism industry professionals. Benefits that come with these educational tours were
identified as well as constraints that will need further investigation. This is in turn was
supported by the literature review that highlighted the value of educational tours and
the significance of including these tours as part of the curriculum in university courses.
These findings therefore will need further exploration due to the limited number of
participants in this study.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.