Examining the integration of green concepts and practices into the curricula of tourism and hospitality training institutions of Zambia.
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Date
2023
Authors
Moonga, Mirriam Sampa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The study examined green concepts and practices and how these could be integrated into tourism and hospitality curricula of training institutions in order to promote environmental sustainability in the Zambia tourism and hospitality industry. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the extent to which green concepts and practices were integrated in the curricula of tourism and hospitality training institutions of Zambia; assess understanding of green concepts and practices in tourism and hospitality training institutions; suggest aspects of green concepts and practice to be included in the framework and develop a curriculum framework that could be used in the integration process. The theoretical framework for the study was informed by the Curriculum and Stakeholder theories. A mixed methods approach was used to collect and analyse data by using both qualitative and quantitative technique, concurrent design. A questionnaire with a Likert scale was administered to 200 selected participants in all 10 tourism and hospitality training institutions of Lusaka. The study also used unstructured interviews to collect data from 20 managers and heads of section in these institutions. Document study involved analysing different curricula from Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) institutions, public and private training institutions for content on the same subject. The study found that green concepts and practices were either latently included or were completely missing from the curricula. The present modular structure designed by curricula designers and other private institutions were not specific on green integration hence not effective. Sustainability education remained an afterthought or an add-on in many classes due to lack of knowledge on the part of the instructors and lack of appreciation for sustainability content on the part of managers. The study concluded that integration of green concepts and practices (e.g., water harvest, zero waste, low carbon emissions, renewable energy, green transport and building initiatives) in the tourism and hospitality training institutions was possible despite the findings showing that training institutions were not effectively integrating the content. Key players at national and local levels, private and public academia and the industry needed to create opportunities and synergies to tackle this issue.
Keywords: Sustainability education, curriculum, green practices, integration, tourism and hospitality industry, sustainability education model, Zambia.
Description
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Education and Management
Keywords
Tourism and hospitality industry--Zambia. , Sustainable education curriculum--Zambia.