Tourism and Hospitality Management Education in Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to identify the problems and prospects of tourism and hospitality higher education in Bangladesh. Methodology: The study conducted an in-depth interview with 40 stakeholders including general education specialists, subject educators, alumni students, practitioners, and policymakers. It also conducted a focus group discussion (FGD) with eight experts in this field. Respondents for in-depth interviews and the FGD were selected from the stakeholders by using convenient and judgmental sampling techniques. Narrative analysis method is used to analyze the interview data of individual respondents. Findings: The study found that seven public universities, nine private universities, and nine colleges under the National University offered degrees in tourism and hospitality management in this country. About eighty-five faculty members teach in this sector, yet less than 20 percent possess graduate and post-graduate degrees in tourism and hotel management. The analysis of the study revealed some significant problems including: less industry focused curricula and teaching-learning methods, no uniform national guidelines, poor infrastructure, and teaching staff with a predominantly non-tourism background. In addition, lack of foreign-trained faculty, entry of reluctant students, and a negative social perception of tourism occupations all pose difficulties for the industry. Practical Implications: This study helps the stakeholders to understand the problems and prospects of tourism and hospitality education in Bangladesh and empower themselves to overcome these problems. Originality: This study reveals the underlying problems and some strategic solutions for tourism and hospitality education in Bangladesh. Research Limitations: If the study can use different quantitative measures then it will be more specific.