Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This article provides an argument for hospitality as a civic phenomenon. It argues for a fundamental reframing of hospitality beyond its traditional commercial and industry-bound interpretations. It suggests that higher hospitality education should prepare students not only for industry roles, but also to address social fragmentation, sustainability and contested forms of belonging. The article develops a conceptual synthesis of three fields: critical hospitality studies, hospitality education and civic and global citizenship education. While acknowledging pedagogical innovations such as problem-based learning and design-based education, it argues that these approaches require a stronger civic orientation to ensure the continued social relevance of hospitality education. Drawing on critical hospitality studies and civic education literature, the article positions hospitality as a societal capability that shapes how people coexist, connect and participate in shared spaces. It introduces civic hospitality through four interrelated dimensions: civic knowledge, civic engagement, civic skills and civic action. The civic hospitality education framework (CHEF) links personal civic foundations, pedagogical approaches, educational outcomes and broader citizen outcomes. The article contributes to reframing hospitality education by integrating civic hospitality in the hospitality curriculum and preparing graduates for tomorrow’s society rather than yesterday’s industry.
Authors: Latifa Benhadda, Edwin Tarus
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7221510348