Abstract:
This research reports findings of a comparative study examining students’ motives of pursuing
hospitality and tourism bachelor degree programmes at two universities, one in Botswana and the other in
Zimbabwe. Results were obtained through use of a self administered structured questionnaire survey. In
addition to descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests and correlation analysis was performed to
distinguish differences and identify any association amongst these motives. Students from the two universities
perceived working with people and meeting new people as the two most influential motives for pursuing their
degree programme. These two motives were considered to be career related as tourism and hospitality is
people and service centred. Students form both universities also perceived positive previous work experience
as having trivial influence on their decision to study hospitality and tourism. However no significant
differences were observed between female and male students and by university, amongst all the motives
examined. Because of these similarities and differences, this study conclusively suggests a number of
benchmarking opportunities that could be pursued by the two universities
