Gen Z Tourism and Hospitality Internship: Challenges and Recommendations for Stakeholders
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Abstract
Internships represent a vital form of experiential learning in tourism and hospitality curriculum and play a significant role in supporting labor shortage issues that the tourism and hospitality industry is facing. In recent years, demand for Gen Z interns is growing rapidly Gen Z possess unique characteristics, expectations and values that challenge the industry. Due to our limited understanding on their work attitudes, this article aims to analyze the key challenges of managing tourism and hospitality internships for Gen Z and to propose management approaches that align with the characteristics of this emerging workforce. The paper reviews literature relating to experiential learning theory as well as Gen Z internship in the tourism and hospitality sector and finds that challenges of managing Generation Z internships are multi-dimensional. Key issues include a gap between interns' expectations and workplace realities, the desire for autonomy at work, and the importance of technology in learning processes.This paper provides suggestions for stakeholders to collaborate in internship practices, foster Gen Z positive internship experience, and ensure mutual benefits for all stakeholders involved. It also outlines future research directions for Gen Z internship in the tourism and hospitality context.
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