Mobility Patterns of Asian Students: The Case of Tourism and Hospitality Management Students in the United Kingdom

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the driving forces behind Asian students studying tourism and hospitality in the United Kingdom at 3 stages: (a) choosing a foreign country, (b) selecting the United Kingdom as the host country, and (c) undertaking tourism and hospitality courses. We collected data using questionnaires distributed among tourism and management students attending a major higher education provider in the United Kingdom. The findings identified subgroups of push and pull factors that explain the movement patterns of Asian students toward studying tourism and hospitality in the United Kingdom. Using a mathematical equation, this study reveals that seeking a better life, the nature of the program, and external influences significantly impact students’ movements.

KEYWORDS:

• Higher education
• international students
• mobility patterns
• motivational factors
• tourism and hospitality