The relationship betwen tourism education and the tourism industry: implications for tourism education

The relationship between tourism education and the tourism industry is historically a complex one which has been characterised by a lack of trust. Increasingly, however, both education and industry are recognising the mutual benefits of developing a more co-operative relationship and the importance of narrowing the divide which has traditionally existed between them. The need to satisfy both academic and the industry stakeholders does have special implications for the delivery of tourism education, as opposed to more traditional subject areas such as geography or history. This paper explores the relationship between education and industry and outlines the particular responses of tourism educators to come to terms with the relationship.