Original scientific paper

Planning internship programs: Tourism students' perceptions

Moustafa A. Mekawy ; Department of Tourism Studies, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, University of Sadat City, Egypt
Moustafa M. Abu Bakr ; Department of Business Administration, Collage of Commerce, Menoufi a University, Egypt

Abstract

Internship programs bridge the gap between formal education and practical work experience. Designing internship programs and involving student interns are significant themes in tourism research whose inter-relationship has been largely neglected. This paper seeks to explore how tourism students' perceptions can be used to develop successful industry-based internship (IBI) programs. This is a subject that has received relatively scant attention since the publication of a number of seminal papers produced in the mid to late 1970s and early 21th century. A number of key themes or issues will be highlighted, all central to the thinking of the internship program planners. These include an analysis of internship cycles and components and the need to add value and increase students' ability to move theory into practice. Using a quantitative paper-based questionnaire survey of 47 items, the findings revealed that respondents had significantly different perceptions regarding their inclusion role and importance in designing internship programs. The paper presents a valuable conceptual and planning model called PPAF Cycle to achieve effective internship programs, which strengthen the interns' input. The study concludes that innovative planning ways should be found to ensure the interns' full involvement in building training program plans in an increasingly mature Egyptian educational tourism system.

Keywords

planning; PPAF Cycle; industry-based internship; interns' involvement; Egypt

Hrčak ID:

120558

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/120558

Publication date:

21.4.2014.

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