Driving force analysis of East European students to study tourism and hospitality in the U.K.

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Rahimi R., AKGÜNDÜZ Y.

ANATOLIA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY RESEARCH, vol.28, no.2, pp.224-238, 2017 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/13032917.2017.1311273
  • Journal Name: ANATOLIA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.224-238
  • Keywords: Student motivation, Higher National Diploma (HND), East European students, tourism education, hospitality education, HIGHER-EDUCATION, HONG-KONG, MOTIVATIONS, MANAGEMENT, PERCEPTIONS, PERSPECTIVE, PREFERENCES, PROGRAM
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Using a push-pull model, this current study tries to investigate the relative importance of the U.K. as a location focus for East European students to undertake a Higher National Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality. The research conducted is based upon a mixed method approach through two sequential phases, a focus group, and a questionnaire. The results revealed that the opportunity to improve language skills, financial support from the U.K. Government, and job opportunities are the important factors for selecting the U.K.. The results further showed that the nature of the course, pre-course expectations and external impacts, such as benefits for EU citizens (student loans) are key factors for choosing to study Tourism and Hospitality.