A comparison of student and practitioner perspectives of the travel and tourism internship.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the perceptions of internships between college students studying travel and tourism and practitioners in the field. Using a web-based survey of 48 items, the study explored how students and practitioners differed in their view regarding the role of the internship experience; the role of the internship agency, the intern’s abilities; and factors in selecting an internship. Using t-test analyses, the results of the study revealed that students and practitioners were in disagreement on 13 of the 48 items in the survey and had significantly different perceptions regarding intern skills, the role of the intern, responsibilities that interns should be given, and factors to consider in selecting an internship. This study examined these differences and implications for practitioners in travel and tourism.