Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Tourism industry employment plays a significant role in Sri Lanka economy. To be successful in
any situation, an individual's perception of their career is critical. Recently, the COVID 19, the
world’s largest health pandemic of the century has hit every aspect of global tourism making
individual’s career challengeable. Particularly, the situation commands undergraduates who follow
tourism related degree programs to re think about their career selection with a fear. Hence, this
study was to identify the difference of undergraduates’ perception on career selection in the tourism
industry before and after effects of COVID 19 and to examine the major factors that caused to make
a difference or remained constant in undergraduates' perceptions of career selection in the tourism
industry. Primary data was gathered from the 20 final year hospitality and tourism undergraduates
of government and private universities in Sri Lanka. The sample was formed through homogeneous
purposive sampling, and data were collected using structured in-depth interviews. Employing
qualitative research approach, thematic analysis and systematic conscious building analysis were
utilized to transcribe and analyze the gathered data. The findings indicated that undergraduates'
perceptions of career selection differed before and after the pandemic. Moreover, respondents had
a more favorable perception of career selection in the tourism industry which was before than post pandemic. However, after the pandemic, respondents had a negative perception of tourism career
selection. According to respondents, the most important factor in selecting a tourism industry career
was a good starting salary, while the least important factor was job security. Therefore, this research
suggests some alternatives for fostering a positive perception of tourism as a career after the
pandemic. Enhance students’ practical experience, Career coaching, Create favorable working
conditions within the tourism industry careers, Update course curriculums to reflect current
industry needs. Government must create policies to secure tourism employment would be highly
appreciated.
Key words: COVID 19 pandemic, Tourism industry, Undergraduates perception, Career selection
