African Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Entrepreneurial Intentions of Tourism and Hospitality Graduates: An Application of the Entrepreneurial Event Model

2024-06-19T09:32:11+00:00

Ghana’s unemployment rate now stands at 14.7%, and entrepreneurship is seen as a solution to the growing graduate unemployment problem. This study therefore examines the entrepreneurial intentions of tourism and hospitality (T&H) graduates in Ghana, using data from 941 graduates. Quantitative methodology was employed for this study, and the data collection was done using snowball sampling. Using questionnaires, the data were collected between February and April 2023 from T&H graduates. The partial least-squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test seven hypotheses. The findings show that propensity to act, innovativeness, self-efficacy, and opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly influence graduates’ entrepreneurial intentions. However, they do not see entrepreneurship as a feasible career option. To increase the entrepreneurship intentions of T&H graduates, the study recommends, among others, that universities should teach soft skills like opportunity recognition, business development, and problem-solving through mentorship seminars and pitching activities. Also, graduates should be encouraged to form partnerships to access funding from government initiatives like YouStart and National Entrepreneurship and Innovation programmes.

Psychological Contract Breach, Organisational Identification and Employee Performance: Mediating Role of Prosocial Organisational Behaviour

2024-09-10T20:19:13+00:00

This study draws on psychological contract and social exchange theories to examine how prosocial organisational behaviour mediates the impact of psychological contract breach (PCB) on employee performance within the hospitality sector in Accra Metropolis, Ghana. A quantitative research approach was adopted, utilising a survey design to collect data from a sample of 84 hotel employees. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) with SmartPLS software to test the proposed research model. The findings indicate that prosocial behaviour significantly enhances employee performance, while psychological contract breach has a negative but non-significant effect on performance. Additionally, prosocial behaviour partially mediates the positive relationship between organisational identification and employee performance among hotel employees in Ghana. The study recommends that hotel management in Ghana should focus on promoting organisational identification by fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace culture. These measures can contribute to creating a supportive work environment that enhances employee performance.

Is emotional connectedness possible in Tourism? An examination of Residents' Emotional Attitudes and Behaviour Towards Tourists.

2025-02-28T12:02:16+00:00

This study examines the influence of residents' emotions on their relationships with tourists, focusing on three core constructs: welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding. A quantitative research design was employed, drawing responses from 650 residents of the Kwahu Traditional Area. The Discrete Emotion Scales were utilised to assess various emotional states, with data collected through self-reported questionnaires and interview guides. Findings indicate a notably high level of emotional connectedness within the Emotional Solidarity Scale's three-factor structure, with welcoming nature receiving the highest endorsement, followed by emotional closeness and sympathetic understanding. Among these, residents expressed the strongest emotional bond with tourists in the dimension of welcoming nature. The study underscores residents’ emotional attachment to tourists, particularly in their openness and receptiveness, which can significantly enhance efforts to attract and retain visitors. These insights offer valuable implications not only for destination management and branding strategies but also for helping tourists form realistic and informed perceptions of the destination.

Examining the post-COVID-19 tourism recovery and resilience in the context of the African Tourism Industry

2025-06-29T13:43:25+00:00

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply disrupted the global tourism and hospitality sectors, with African nations particularly affected due to their dependency on tourism as a critical economic driver. Despite the sector's importance, limited research exists on the recovery and resilience of African tourism during the pandemic. Understanding these dynamics is vital to addressing the challenges and capitalising on opportunities this crisis presents. This study critically examines the recovery and resilience strategies in the post-pandemic context of the African tourism industry. By integrating insights from literature and case studies, it identifies sectoral challenges, including economic vulnerabilities, policy gaps, and structural inefficiencies. It also explores adaptive, innovative, and sustainable approaches to recovery, underscoring the need for inclusive growth and resilience-focused planning. The findings offer actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders, advocating multi-level strategies that prioritise sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation to guide Africa's tourism sector toward a robust recovery.