IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM EDUCATION FUTURES INITIATIVE (TEFI) VALUES IN PERCEPTIONS OF STUDENT INTERNSHIP TRAINERS IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY

Abstract

This study attempted to examine how important Tourism Education Futures Initiative (TEFI) values are to be embodied in hospitality and/or tourism degree programs in Thailand from perspectives of student internship trainers. This present study used a mixed methods design. The purposive sampling was used. For quantitative approach, the sample consisted of 205 student internship trainers in hotels, airlines, tour operators, travel agencies, service-related associations, MICE business, food services, and tourism-related government agencies. In addition, 21 industry directors and managers were interviewed in order to gain more in-depth information. The results showed that all five principles were very important for higher education in tourism and hospitality studies. Ethics was rated the most significant values-based principle, followed by professionalism, mutuality, knowledge, and stewardship, respectively. Specifically, the most important values were teamwork, responsibility, collaboration, honesty, and authenticity. Among 24 values, the least important value was service to community as the only value found important while the others were graded as very important. The interviewed information supported the quantitative findings.