Undergraduate students and academicians' views on internship process in tourism education (A research in BTIOYO)

Internship is one of the significant factors that play an important role in tourism education. Internship can give an opportunity to students to transfer theoretical knowledge into practice since practicing opportunity is limited at schools. In addition, internship provides students enhancing a broader view of tourism sector and adapting tourism establishments. For these reasons, internship is essential part of tourism education.This study aimed to determine both undergraduate students and academicians' views on internship process. In order to reach the aim, Balikesir University School of Tourism and Hotel Management was chosen as a research area.It was determined from the study that both students and academicians stated that internship was important and essential in tourism education. However, they mentioned that students could face some problems in sector during their internship period because tourism managers did not realize the importance of interns.