THE ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY STUDENTS IN THE FACE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Purpose - Unfavorable conditions in the macro environment (Covid-19, economic crisis, depopulation) pose new challenges to the tourism industry and thus to the training of future tourism professionals. The aim of this paper is to explore the level of entrepreneurial intention of students at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Croatian tourism in response to the modern environment (analysis of the influence of the environment on the level of entrepreneurial intention). Methodology - The paper investigates the entrepreneurial intentions and skills of students of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management. The research, using a questionnaire based on a sample of 323 undergraduate students, shows the motivation factors of the entrepreneurial intentions in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Exploratory factor analysis is used to establish four levels of motivation to pursue entrepreneurial activity. Findings - The theoretical level of research analyzes the influence of unfavorable macroeconomic conditions on tourism and their impact on students' entrepreneurial intentions. Existing research mainly focuses on personal challenges which provides the greatest incentive to start a new business. The influence of the social and societal environment is playing the most important role according to the research results. Contribution - The article determines the level of entrepreneurship of students in tourism who need to develop their skills in a practical sense. The study can be extended to under-graduate students and compared with similar studies conducted in other tourism and hospitality faculties to determine entrepreneurial intention.