The Mediating Effect of Personal Interest on the Selection of Hotel and Tourism Programs in Higher Education of Students in Southern Thailand
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Abstract
This study examines factors influencing high school students’ decisions to select hotel and tourism programs at higher education institutions. It also examines the mediating effects of personal interest in the hotel and tourism industry on their decisions. A survey was conducted with 539 Year 12 students in southern Thailand to analyze six influencing factors by using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The research model established Cronbach’s alpha values from 0.799 to 0.907. The findings indicate that university and faculty reputation, program quality, campus environment, labour market trends, and compensation significantly influence students’ decisions, while job positions do not. Furthermore, personal interest partially mediates the influence of program quality and labour market trends on students' decisions to pursue hotel and tourism programs, while fully mediating the influence of job position on their decisions.
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