Exploring Students’ Understanding and Practices of Cultural Hospitality: A Thematic Review of Global and Nepali Perspectives

Abstract

This thematic review examines how the culture of hospitality, the art of serving the guest selflessly with respect for their unique background, fits into the hospitality education and training. The study follows a qualitative review approach, analyzing literature, industry requirements, and existing hospitality programs to assess how cultural awareness is incorporated into student's learning. The findings till the time is that most of the hospitality industry is more focused on the technical skill, that is, hard skill, while the cultural hospitality or the soft skill, is still in the shadows. Combining cultural hospitality with modern hospitality education can better prepare students for the global job market, foster welcoming environments and increase guest experiences. The study also highlights practical approaches for teaching cultural hospitality, such as implementing cultural values and local practices into classroom activities and aligning learning with real-world industry requirements. The review concludes that planned training in cultural hospitality, supported by appropriate teaching methods and continuous guidance, can empower students and educators to meaningfully integrate cultural values into the hospitality education which further meets the industry expectations.