Educational Tourism - The Case of Eastern European Students: Driving Forces, Consequences, and Effects on the Tourism Industry
Tourism Today (Forthcoming)
23 Pages Posted: 28 Mar 2015
Date Written: 2014
Abstract
This article was written in order to give an insight into the subject of the educational tourism. The main focus was set on the case of the Eastern European foreign students (educational tourists). The research conducted during June-August 2014 was taken as a basis for writing the present article. Identification and examination of the motives and reasons of foreign students to participate in different educational programmes and to continue their studying abroad, and determination of consequences of such decision were determined as final goals of the executed study. Interviews were chosen for data collection as one of qualitative research methods, and further coding, categorization, and grounded theory approach were applied for data analysis. Stereotypes, seek of challenges, and personal reasons were defined as common motivational forces for the educational tourists. A wide range of benefits for both participants and destination countries were explored and relevant conclusions and recommendations were suggested.
Keywords: educational tourism, Eastern Europe, qualitative research, motivation
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