Thoughts of academics on the use of mobile augmented reality in tourism education: the case of Eskisehir

Abstract

Human resource in the tourism sector is critical enough to shape the future of the sector. The opinions of academics are extremely important in the use of any new product, method and process that will lead to the development of human resources. In this sense, the role of academics is particularly important in enhancing the qualifications of students and the education given to them. In line with this, the aim of this research is to reach the views of the tourism academicians who work in tourism faculties regarding the use of mobile augmented reality technology in tourism education. For this purpose, the research was carried out with the use of qualitative methods. In the method part of the research, one-to-one interviews were conducted with 15 academics working in the tourism faculties of Anadolu University and Eskisehir Osmangazi University using a semi-structured interview form. The answers obtained were transcribed by the researcher and interpreted under four themes: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats by applying content and frequency analysis. It has been stated by tourism academics that mobile augmented reality applications offer opportunities for the development of tourism education and therefore the development of the sector.