THE GRADUATE PERCEPTION TOWARDS THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY – A CASE STUDY IN HO MUNICIPAL

ABSTRACT The main purpose of the study was to investigate the graduate perception towards the hospitality industry, using Ho Municipality as a case study. This study adopted the case study design. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research and a combination of both approaches. The population for the study was two hundred and forty (240). The population of the study was made up of young hospitality graduates and their managers working in the Ho Municipality. A sample size of one hundred and thirty (130) was chosen for the study. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling methods were adopted for the study. The main instrument that was used to collect information for the study was questionnaire. The SPSS version 18 was used to analyse data. The study findings revealed that the general perceptions of hospitality graduates regarding working in the hospitality industry is good. The prestigious nature of the hospitality work do not motivate the majority of the graduates to work in the industry. The physical working conditions in the hospitality industry attracted hospitality graduates to work in the industry. The hospitality graduates are highly motivated to work in the hospitality industry because of the good Pay/fringe benefits. The graduates preferred to work in the hospitality industry to broaden their knowledge and to relieve their parents’/guardians financial burden. The hospitality graduates benefit from work-based experience because they have the chance to undertake practical work to complement theoretical knowledge. The study recommended that the prestigious nature of the hospitality work must be rebranded to motivate the majority of the graduates to work in the industry.