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The aim of this study is to understand the acculturation experiences of international students in order to maximize their academic and social experiences which, in turn, can facilitate the development of sustainable educational tourism in the host country.

Using a qualitative methodology and semi-structured interview techniques, 40 international postgraduate tourism students from the Global South were interviewed.

The findings in this study demonstrated that the main problems faced by these students are inadequate funds and language difficulties.

This study highlighted the fact that although the number of international students is growing all over the world, for most of the students from poorer parts of the world, being an international student is fraught with difficulties. It also demonstrated that although acculturation stress is a serious concern, lack of adequate funding assumes greater importance for students from a poor background.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, African students studying tourism and hospitality internationally had diverse experiences in their professional endeavours. This study seeks to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the career progression and perspectives of African undergraduate students specialising in higher education in the fields of tourism and hospitality.

The study utilised qualitative content analysis, which involves subjectively interpreting text data by systematically categorising and coding it to identify themes or patterns.

The findings deviate from how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the career advancement of African international students studying tourism and hospitality in North Cyprus. Consequently, most developing nations face an increased need for security measures. Tourists will pay higher prices to visit highly secure areas rather than risking their lives. This is one of the reasons why many students from developing nations choose to pursue their careers in developed countries.

It is imperative for the governments of developing nations to make substantial financial contributions to the development of their respective tourism sectors. Augmented investment has the potential to allure international tourists, thereby generating employment prospects for the host economies. The lack of investment forces young individuals to pursue their education overseas. Furthermore, it is imperative for developing nations to enhance their security infrastructure.

Our findings suggest that policymakers should establish a diverse management team that includes student employees to develop suitable strategies for industry management. Insufficient student inclusivity can result in a lack of dedication, whereas involving them in management strategies can contribute to the industry’s prosperity.

The findings obtained from this research can stimulate the formulation of strategies within the tourism industry to tackle the intersection of career obstacles.

This theme issue sought to find answers to the question: What should be the role of tourism education social structures to create and support collaborative learning environments and the tourism sector?

A thematic analysis of the articles in this collection draws together the key outcomes related to the strategic question, with particular reference to the contribution to knowledge, important to generate ideas and conceptual researches that will support institutions teaching tourism and hospitality. Archive research results and recommendations to encourage the collaboration of different stakeholders involved in sustainable tourism development. Most importantly to raise awareness of the question of what educators are doing in tourism education for social, organizational structures in learning environments and the actual tourism sector.

Two key players, the educator and sector has been challenged to consider their roles in education as well as depicting the role of social and organizational structures that support the students, institutions and the tourism sector. The main findings have proven the important role education plays for a truly sustainable tourism model, suggesting that it is not possible to create awareness of the sustainable development goals without incorporating them in the tourism education system with the support of information computer technology.

This paper reflects on the strategic question discussed in this theme issue, and it contains valid reviews, research studies by practitioners who are experienced in the field of tourism education with an opportunity to research, reflect and develop new possibilities in learning, mitigate negative points and increase positive tourism education roles for sustainable tourism development, in the destination and industry.

The aim of this study is to explain the educational practices that emerged with the concept of “new normal” in an overview. In line with this goal, the experiences of academics who are experts in their fields have been utilized.

This paper draws on both academic and trade literature. Interviews with representatives from schools providing tourism education in North Cyprus were conducted online and in-person. The qualitative research method in the form of the interview method was employed in the research. The research participants consist of 15 academics working in the field of tourism education. Additionally, concerning the selection of these participants, sector experience and applied lecture status were taken into consideration. As the second dimension of the research, an extensive literature review was conducted and the subject was expanded by explaining it with examples from around the world.

It has been revealed in the research that educational institutions and tourist businesses have to constantly renew themselves technologically. The findings obtained from academics include the innovations they use in the “new normal” tourism education in applications such as Hybrid/BL – Blended Learning, VR – Virtual Reality, Artificial intelligence, LMS & In-class response systems, API-based software systems in the courses they teach. The common opinion of academics who want to provide a better education is that educational institutions should always be infrastructurally prepared for such emergencies.

The global COVID-19 pandemic created economic destruction in many countries and brought life to a halt. In the tourism sector, one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 problem, various restrictions were imposed on touristic activities. While this situation caused a decrease in demand in the tourism sector, it paved the way for great technological changes and resulted in the adoption of new educational practices in institutions providing tourism education. This paper traces these new development in the face of the pandemic crisis.

The harmonisation of university degrees at the European level leads us to believe that training needs are addressed in the same way in different countries. However, the inevitable adaptation to the changing environment faced by companies requires a continuous adjustment between training and future needs, according to the sector. The aim of this paper is to compare two leading and culturally similar countries in the tourism sector in order to determine whether training is being provided homogeneously in tourism higher education and whether more specific training is desired to meet the needs of the sector in each country.

This study is part of the European Next Tourism Generation (NTG) Project, the first European partnership to foster a collaborative and productive relationship between the education system and the tourism industry. A mixed research study was conducted with the purpose of development, i.e. with the intention that the results of one method (qualitative) are used to assist the development of the other method (quantitative) and an exploratory sequential design. Both qualitative (29 interviews) and quantitative (509 tourism organisations) methods are used.

For a sector that has undergone significant changes in recent years, the results show the differences between countries around the current level of soft skills of employees, the level they will need to develop in the future and the gaps that those responsible for training future employees in the sector need to focus on for the 2030 horizon.

Several recommendations have emerged from this paper: to complement higher education, to achieve a better link between the business world and future workers; to provide much more incentives for international student mobility, which will allow students to develop intercultural soft skills before they enter the world of work, and to propose the creation of a social network to share, communicate and learn about resources specific to the tourism industry.

Since the Bologna Plan, higher education institutions have been tasked with preparing students for the world of work and developing the employability of graduates. The link between the professional world (companies) and the educational world (training centres) is a crucial factor in determining students' future skills and needs. When educational programmes respond to the needs of industry, the university can gain a competitive advantage. Therefore, some authors suggest the need for coordination and regular communication between business and training centres, thus improving the competitiveness of companies and reducing the gap that currently exists. In this paper, comparing two culturally similar countries with a recognised trajectory in the tourism sector, we will try to observe this gap and propose interesting options for the future of the sector.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the social interaction between international students and the local community in the small university town of Famagusta, North Cyprus. The objectives of the study are, firstly, to investigate the nature of interaction between two communities; secondly, to ascertain the main factors impacting social interaction and, finally, to identify the impact of this interaction on cultural exchange.

Using a qualitative approach, the researchers conducted 39 semi-structured interviews with international students and members of the local community to gain depth and detail.

The results showed that there was a lack of interaction between the international students and locals due mainly to language barriers.

This study addresses a gap in the literature on educational tourism by focusing on the social interaction between foreign students and the host community in a nontraditional destination. It also provides guidelines for universities, local and national governments on how to build a better quality of life for the community and for international students.

This study examines two crucial aspects of employability in the tourism industry, with a particular emphasis on contemporary advancements. The first aspect pertains to the emerging demands in the employability sector of the tourism industry, driven by technological advancements. Given the evident nature of this emerging trend, it is imperative to possess a robust infrastructure and comprehensive knowledge. The second aspect is to evaluate the level of education that industry employees receive in relation to the tourism sector in order to ensure sustainable development.

The study employed a thematic literature review to evaluate the significance of tourism education on employability and the necessity of adopting technology.

The findings deviate from the extensive literature search showed that Higher Education Institutions should prioritise ensuring that the new generation’s technological capabilities align with the traditional curricula in their respective fields, given the widespread use of personal computers and smartphones. Ultimately, students are increasingly expecting that technology will significantly impact their educational experiences and modes of communication for their future careers.

It is widely acknowledged that the most efficient approach to fostering learning is to exert authority over the learning setting, and educators should generate learning prospects for students rather than merely transmitting information and facts.

This review assesses two key aspects of employability in the tourism industry, focussing on recent technological advancements and the necessary skills for students' future careers.

The primary objective of this study is to ascertain how Metaverse technologies, primarily virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), redefine tourism experiences. It aims to delve into the capabilities of these technologies in eliminating conventional physical and economic barriers and enabling virtual exploration of destinations. Additionally, this study seeks to understand how tourism enterprises can leverage Metaverse technologies for operational efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction.

This research uses a two-pronged methodological approach, incorporating bibliometric analysis techniques and a systematic literature review. Bibliometric analysis provides a quantitative assessment of existing literature, identifying key trends, authors and publications in the domain of Metaverse tourism. Concurrently, this systematic literature review qualitatively evaluates the content and context of these studies, focussing on the applications of VR and AR in tourism as well as the managerial and consumer implications therein.

The findings reveal a significant uptick in literature production in the Metaverse tourism domain post-2018, indicating a burgeoning interest in this field. Metaverse facilitates a unique blend of engaging and personalised tourism experiences from the comfort of one’s home. Moreover, tourism enterprises stand to gain from streamlined booking processes and to improve operational efficiency, which in turn augments customer satisfaction.

This research is confined to the analysis of the existing literature and does not involve primary data collection, which could limit the comprehensiveness of the insights. Moreover, the nascent stage of Metaverse technology in tourism presents a challenge in deriving conclusive implications. This study underscores the need for further empirical research to validate the theoretical frameworks discussed and explore the long-term implications of Metaverse technologies in the tourism sector.

Metaverse opens avenues for tourism enterprises to enhance their customer engagement and operational efficiency. It offers a novel platform for immersive and personalised travel experiences, thereby potentially increasing the market reach and customer satisfaction. The streamlined processes facilitated by Metaverse could also lead to cost reduction and increased profitability for tourism enterprises.

The integration of Metaverse technologies could democratise travel experiences, allowing individuals who might be economically or physically constrained to virtually explore global destinations. However, it also raises concerns regarding the digital divide and potential loss of authentic human interactions and cultural exchanges that traditionally characterise tourism.

This study is among the pioneering efforts to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse the burgeoning field of metaverse tourism. By amalgamating bibliometric analysis with a systematic literature review, it unveils the potential of Metaverse technologies in transcending conventional tourism paradigms, presenting a comprehensive understanding of the practical, managerial and consumer-centric implications therein.

本研究采用了双管齐下的方法, 既有文献计量分析技术, 又有系统的文献综述。文献计量分析对现有文献进行定量评估, 确定元旅游领域的主要趋势、作者和出版物。同时, 系统性文献综述对这些作品的内容和背景进行了定性评估, 重点关注虚拟现实（VR）和增强现实（AR）在旅游业中的应用以及对管理和消费者的影响。

本研究的主要目的是确定元宇宙技术（主要是 VR 和 AR）如何重新定义旅游体验。研究旨在深入探讨这些技术在消除传统物理和经济障碍以及实现目的地虚拟探索方面的能力。此外, 本研究还试图了解旅游企业如何利用元数据技术提高运营效率和客户满意度。

研究结果表明, 2018 年后, Metaverse 旅游领域的文献产量大幅上升, 表明人们对这一领域的兴趣日益浓厚。Metaverse 可以让人们在家中就能享受到独特的个性化旅游体验。此外, 旅游企业可从简化预订流程和提高运营效率中获益, 进而提高客户满意度。

本研究仅限于对现有文献的分析, 不涉及原始数据收集, 这可能会限制研究见解的全面性。此外, Metaverse 技术在旅游业中的应用尚处于起步阶段, 这对得出结论性影响提出了挑战。本研究强调有必要开展进一步的实证研究, 以验证所讨论的理论框架, 并探索元数据技术在旅游业中的长期影响。

Metaverse 为旅游企业提高客户参与度和运营效率开辟了道路。它为身临其境的个性化旅游体验提供了一个新颖的平台, 从而有可能提高市场覆盖率和客户满意度。Metaverse 推动的简化流程还可降低旅游企业的成本, 提高其盈利能力。

Metaverse 技术的整合可以使旅游体验平民化, 让经济或身体条件有限的人也能以虚拟方式探索全球旅游目的地。然而, 它也引发了人们对数字鸿沟的担忧, 以及对传统旅游业所特有的真实人际互动和文化交流的潜在损失的担忧。

本研究是定量和定性分析新兴的 Metaverse 旅游领域的开创性研究之一。通过将文献计量学分析与系统的文献综述相结合, 本研究揭示了元数据技术在超越传统旅游范式方面的潜力, 并对其中的实用、管理和以消费者为中心的含义提出了全面的理解。

Esta investigación utiliza un enfoque metodológico doble, que incorpora técnicas de análisis bibliométrico y una revisión sistemática de la literatura. El análisis bibliométrico proporciona una evaluación cuantitativa de la literatura existente, identificando tendencias, autores y publicaciones clave en el ámbito del turismo en el Metaverso. Al mismo tiempo, la revisión sistemática de la literatura evalúa cualitativamente el contenido y el contexto de estos trabajos, centrándose en las aplicaciones de la Realidad Virtual (RV) y la Realidad Aumentada (RA) en el turismo, así como en sus implicaciones para la gestión y el consumidor.

El objetivo principal de este estudio es determinar cómo las tecnologías asociadas al Metaverso, principalmente la RV y la RA, redefinen las experiencias turísticas. Pretende profundizar en las capacidades de estas tecnologías para eliminar las barreras físicas y económicas convencionales y permitir la exploración virtual de los destinos. Además, este estudio pretende entender cómo las empresas turísticas pueden aprovechar las tecnologías relacionadas con el Metaverso para mejorar la eficiencia operativa y la satisfacción del cliente.

Los resultados revelan un aumento significativo en la producción de literatura en el ámbito del turismo en el Metaverso desde el año 2018, lo que indica un creciente interés en este campo. El Metaverso facilita una combinación única de experiencias turísticas atractivas y personalizadas desde la comodidad del hogar. Además, las empresas turísticas se benefician de la agilización de los procesos de reserva y la mejora de la eficiencia operativa, lo que a su vez aumenta la satisfacción del cliente.

La investigación se limita al análisis de la bibliografía existente y no incluye la recopilación de datos primarios, lo que podría limitar la exhaustividad de las conclusiones. Además, el estado incipiente de la tecnología relacionada con el Metaverso en el turismo supone un reto a la hora de extraer implicaciones concluyentes. Este estudio subraya la necesidad de realizar más estudios empíricos para validar los marcos teóricos discutidos y explorar las implicaciones a largo plazo de estas tecnologías en el sector turístico.

El Metaverso abre vías para que las empresas turísticas mejoren su compromiso con el cliente y su eficiencia operativa. Ofrece una plataforma novedosa para experiencias de viaje inmersivas y personalizadas, con lo que aumenta potencialmente el alcance del mercado y la satisfacción del cliente. La racionalización de los procesos facilitados por el Metaverso también podría conducir a la reducción de costes y al aumento de la rentabilidad de las empresas turísticas.

La integración de las tecnologías relacionadas con el Metaverso podría democratizar las experiencias de viaje, permitiendo a personas con limitaciones económicas o físicas explorar virtualmente destinos globales. Sin embargo, también suscita preocupación en relación con la brecha digital y la posible pérdida de interacciones humanas auténticas e intercambios culturales que tradicionalmente caracterizan al turismo.

Este estudio es uno de los pioneros en analizar cuantitativa y cualitativamente el creciente campo del turismo en el Metaverso. Amalgamando el análisis bibliométrico con una revisión sistemática de la literatura, desvela el potencial de las tecnologías relacionadas con el Metaverso para sacar a la luz los paradigmas turísticos convencionales, presentando una comprensión exhaustiva de sus implicaciones prácticas, de gestión y centradas en el consumidor.

The main purpose of this article is to understand the motivations for Bhutanese students to study hospitality and tourism courses. The second objective is to analyse what countries are the preferred destinations for study abroad and visitation for students. This includes focussing on new course topic areas such as sustainability for business in hospitality and tourism courses.

A quantitative methodology approach was undertaken with two surveys administered to the first and second student intakes into the Bhutan Middle Management Hotel Program. Motivational and reasoned action theory form the basis of the theoretical framework to understand behavioural intentions regarding educational choices in hospitality and tourism courses.

The results of the surveys indicate that the main motivations to study hospitality and tourism are for attraction, career opportunities, status, broader benefits and aptitude. In addition, it was found that students studying hospitality and tourism in Bhutan are likely to stay in the sector for a long period of time thereby contributing to the economic and social development of Bhutan. Moreover, it was found that the United Nations Sustainable Development goals are increasingly being integrated into the tourism and hospitality sector, which is influencing students to study these topic areas.

The results of this study will help government and hospitality providers support educational training programs by focussing on new education topic areas. This study is limited to Bhutan.

The results of this study will help government and hospitality providers support educational training programs by focussing on new education topic areas such as sustainability for business management. This will enable hospitality and tourism providers in Bhutan to update their curriculum and to focus on emerging industry needs.

This is amongst the first studies on Bhutanese students motivations for studying hospitality and tourism. It will provide practical and policy advise about how to train workers in order to become less reliant on foreign training providers and the importance of integrating sustainability topics in course design.