Towards a definitive view of the nature of hospitality and hospitality management

Explores the issues lying at the very heart of the endeavour academic researchers and industrial practitioners working in the hospitality field are engaged in; the essence of what is referred to as hospitality and its management. It critically reviews the definitions and perspectives on these fundamental issues proffered in the contemporary literature in an attempt to create a clearer view of what “hospitality” and “hospitality management” are. In seeking to achieve this goal the paper questions the fundamental validity of these definitions and perspectives, many of which are frequently accepted as incontestable truths by both academics and practitioners. Finally, the paper presents new definitions for “hospitality” and “hospitality management” which, it argues, should be those adopted to inform and direct the agendas of both academic researchers and industrial practitioners in the new millennium.