Tracing the complexity-sustainability nexus in a small Mediterranean island: implications for hospitality and tourism education

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gauge how tourism and hospitality students discern sustainability in the geographical context of the small island state of North Cyprus using systems theory and thinking framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative approach and draws on data from focus group interviews with final year students enrolled in a tourism and hospitality program.

Findings

This study reveals that students lack a holistic understanding of sustainability and given this finding, the theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Originality/value

In spite of the close linkages between tourism and sustainability and the fact that the United Nations designated 2017 as the “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development,” education for sustainability in tourism has received relatively little attention. Furthermore, there is a gap in the literature in terms of what tourism students know about sustainability and sustainable development.

Citation

Rezapouraghdam, H. and Akhshik, A. (2021), "Tracing the complexity-sustainability nexus in a small Mediterranean island: implications for hospitality and tourism education", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 476-487. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-02-2021-0030