A Comparative Study Of Students’ Motives In The Selection Of A Tourism And Hospitality Management Programme: Insights From Chinhoyi University Of Technology And The University Of Botswana

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