Abstract

In recent years there has been considerable growth in the number of undergraduate and graduate tourism and hospitality programs at universities around the world. Consequently, the demand for qualified people to fill academic positions in the field is increasing. Despite much research on the demands and expectations of skills from the industry on tourism and hospitality graduates, little is known about who is teaching these graduates, their backgrounds, and strategies they employ to advance their careers. This article reports on the findings of an Internet survey of 342 tourism and hospitality academics from around the world on various aspects related to career development. The importance these academics place on select career strategies in general and for their personal career advancement is assessed, and differences in perception based on gender, seniority, and time of entry into academia are examined. Insights into academics’ satisfaction with their career advancement and career barriers are also provided.