What are tourism students saying about teaching staff?
Published May 22, 2024 · Updated Oct 12, 2025
teaching stafftourism, transport and travelStudents in tourism, transport and travel report strong experiences with teaching staff but expect predictable delivery and communications. Across the sector, National Student Survey (NSS) comments about teaching staff are 78.3% positive with a sentiment index of +52.8. In this discipline, teaching staff is the most discussed topic at 10.6% of comments with a net positive index of +31.3, while remote learning remains a weak spot at −31.2.
Why do student perceptions of teaching staff matter in tourism, transport and travel?
Understanding how students view their academic staff is the first step in enhancing educational processes. This overview analyses differences in perception and prioritises the changes most likely to lift student satisfaction. Student surveys, analysis of text feedback and a sustained student voice inform these insights. Evaluating them provides a route to refine interactions between students and educators and to focus subsequent work on specific practices that shape learning. Staff knowledge matters, but students’ experiences of delivery, organisation and communication determine whether that expertise translates into outcomes.
Why does subject expertise matter?
In these fields, students value staff who combine a strong grasp of theory with current industry practice. Lecturers who connect concepts to real-world scenarios increase engagement and perceived relevance, enhancing career preparedness. Expertise is not static: continuous professional development and adaptation to sector changes underpin programme quality and student outcomes.
Does passion and enthusiasm in teaching change outcomes?
Yes. Students consistently link enthusiastic delivery to higher motivation and deeper engagement. Energetic teaching makes complex topics more accessible and supports retention. Knowledge without an engaging approach rarely sustains attention in trend-driven subject areas.
How do communication and clarity shape learning?
Effective communication underpins comprehension and attainment. Students highlight the need for precise explanations, structured sessions and unambiguous assessment briefs, especially where terminology or operational content is dense. Online, the absence of visuals and signposting impedes understanding. Standardise core materials, provide weekly “what to expect” updates and use worked exemplars to help students act on guidance quickly.
Why do timeliness and organisational skills matter in these programmes?
Field trips, guest lectures and placement activity create complex timetabling. When staff keep schedules predictable and meet feedback turnaround standards, students engage more fully with both theoretical and applied components. Missed deadlines, unclear instructions and rescheduled activities undermine confidence and increase anxiety. A single source of truth for timetables and named ownership of course communications stabilise delivery.
What does effective support and accessibility look like?
Approachable staff and responsive personal tutoring foster belonging and progress. Predictable office hours, timely responses and access to clarification outside scheduled teaching signal care and help students keep momentum. For commuter and part-time cohorts, mirrored support through out-of-hours windows and asynchronous summaries ensures equitable access.
How should technology and resources be used?
Technology lifts applied learning when inclusive by design. Virtual simulations and digital resources extend exposure to industry practice, but remote learning underperforms when interaction is thin or materials are inaccessible. Record sessions with captions, structure discussion, ensure materials are lightweight and mobile-friendly, and provide alternatives for students with limited connectivity so technology enhances rather than hinders learning.
What should programme teams do next?
Prioritise the human fundamentals students value: visible expertise, availability and encouragement. Stabilise delivery by tightening timetabling and communication routines so students know what is happening and why. Make assessment expectations unmissable with annotated exemplars, checklist-style marking criteria and predictable turnaround. Sustain placements and fieldwork with clear briefs, active supervision and on-site feedback. These moves preserve the strong tone around staff while addressing the delivery and communications issues that depress sentiment.
How Student Voice Analytics helps you
Student Voice Analytics provides continuous visibility of comments and sentiment on teaching staff and delivery in tourism, transport and travel. It benchmarks your programmes against the wider sector and cognate groups, with drill-downs from provider to subject family, department, programme and cohort. You can segment by mode, site and year, track delivery pain points such as remote learning, scheduling and feedback, and generate concise, anonymised briefings and export-ready tables for programme reviews and quality boards.
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