Cam Thi Hong Khuong
Abstract:
This study highlights the role of tourism training institutions in the mediation of the work-integrated learning (WIL) initiative embedded in tourism training programmes in Vietnam from the perspective of tourism practitioners. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 13 human resource managers and 5 internship mentors in 13 tourism companies, this research shows that the tourism institutions are negligent in their central role as optimised WIL enablers before, during and after the WIL experience. The tourism companies, albeit being proactive in the WIL procedure, are unable to maximise its efficacy without having a well-conceived WIL programme with adequate linkage, support and supervision from the institutions and academic supervisors. The findings are then translated into practical recommendations, calling on the tourism institutions for more sustainable partnerships, explicit and transparent WIL guidelines prior to WIL, sufficient support during WIL, and recognition of workplace supervisors’ voice in students’ reflection after WIL.
Keywords: Tourism education, Vietnam, work-integrated learning, internship