Chapter 2: Current State of Captive Hotels: USA point of view
Chapter 2: Current State of Captive Hotels: USA point of view
Kirsten Tripodi; Miguel Bendrao Baltazar; and Reg Foucar-Szocki
Kirsten Tripodi, Sacred Heart University
Miguel Bendrao Baltazar, James Madison University
Reg Foucar-Szocki, James Madison University
Abstract
The importance of on-campus hotels, also called captive hotels, is explored as a case study through three lenses: the academic institution and faculty, the student learner, and the hotel operator. The three populations are defined with specific benefits, opportunities, and barriers detailed for each community. A database of current hotels-on college campuses with Tourism & Hotel Management (T&HM) programs of study in the United States is presented as an Appendix to the chapter.
Introduction
The consensus regarding the best way to educate students to become tomorrow’s leaders in the global tourism and hospitality discipline is at a crossroads. Some education outlets emphasize technical skills. Others believe the foundations must be in the functional areas of business. Still, another group suggests technological solutions such as AI/robotics is the ideal educational game plan. In a recent compilation of the “Best Tourism and Hospitality Schools in the World. University Rankings”, three independent sources addressed this issue, including: Top Universities QS Rankings by Subject; Shanghai Rankings by Subject; and the CEOWORLD Rankings. Each listing was reported with a detailed scoring system and rubric for evaluation (Balan, 2020).
We observed one commonality between over 80 % of the three top ten lists, and this was an on-campus hotel as part of its educational mission. Successful tourism and hospitality (THM) programs offer applied business certificates, diplomas, and degrees where the practical application is valued (Tripodi & Baltazar, 2015: 72). LeBruto and Murray (1994) point out that they identify “insuring the application of classroom learning experiences to actual management situations” as a significant issue in hotel management education. This observation is still relevant today. An on-campus fully functional hotel provides students, faculty, academic programs, and the institution with many direct advantages.
This chapter examines on-campus hotels as a learning tool from three lenses: the academic program, the hotel operator, and the student learner. A discussion follows for each stakeholder, exploring the benefits, opportunities, and barriers. The case study’s final component is a useful list of over 40 on-campus hotels in the United States affiliated with hospitality and tourism programmes.
The Academic Program and Faculty Lens
Definition
Academic Programs are comprised of a series of required courses and electives leading to completing a certificate, diploma, or college or university degree. The faculty are those individuals who are part of the instructional team of the academic program.
Benefits
Competitive Advantage
A captive hotel enhances the THS program’s strategic co