Hotel stigma may drive Chinese hospitality graduates away from careers

Research published in the International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development examined the impact of negative perceptions of hotel work on Chinese hospitality graduates' career decisions. The study, which analyzed interviews with over 300 hotel interns, found that occupational stigma—the belief that a profession has low status or is undesirable—was a significant factor deterring graduates from pursuing careers in the industry.

Graduates with this perception were less likely to choose hotel work as a career. This finding highlights a significant recruitment challenge for China's hotel industry, which relies on a large and stable workforce. Only 10% to 20% of hospitality and tourism graduates currently enter the sector. Internships, intended to provide practical experience early in careers, sometimes reinforce these negative perceptions and lead many graduates to leave the field before gaining significant exposure to the industry.

The study revealed that vocational skills and professional certification can help mitigate the stigma associated with hotel work. Interns with additional skills were less affected by negative perceptions, suggesting that practical training and professional credentials may boost confidence in hotel careers and strengthen professional identity. Addressing occupational stigma through improved perceptions and enhanced vocational training could potentially increase the number of Chinese graduates entering the hotel industry.