Article 2021

Going Virtual: The Impact of COVID-19 on Internships in Tourism, Events, and Hospitality Education

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education
Journal · Vol. 33 · Issue 3 · pp. 176-193
Abstract

This study explored virtual internship practices and the adaptation to changes brought by the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis by interviewing a small group of interns and site supervisors to understand how virtual internships were practiced in the wake of COVID-19. The findings of the study provided several insights into virtual internships. Overall, just like the conventional fieldwork, well-planned and designed virtual internships could be an empowering learning experience that allows students to capitalize on the practical strengths while applying classroom learning experiences to actual management situations. The study also discussed the advantages and challenges of virtual internships perceived by the student interns. The implications of the study and suggestions for future research were addressed. © 2021 The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Hospitality education Experiential education virtual internships impact of COVID-19 tourism and events education

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Recreation, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
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