WORKATION IN HYBRID HOSPITALITY: A STUDY OF STUDENT INTERNS

Abstract

The rapid expansion of hybrid work models has reshaped both tourism practices and hospitality service design. While workation has been widely explored in relation to digital nomads and remote professionals, limited attention has been given to hospitality students who complete internships within similar hybrid work–leisure environments. This study examines how hospitality students perceive such environments during their internship placements and how these perceptions influence their satisfaction, stress levels, work–life balance, and professional motivation.

A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 112 undergraduate students enrolled in Tourism and Hospitality Management programs. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire measuring internship satisfaction, perceived work–life balance, stress, hedonic perception of the environment, and professional motivation. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, reliability testing, correlation analysis, and regression modeling.

The findings indicate that hedonic perception of the environment significantly predicts internship satisfaction and is positively associated with professional motivation. Perceived work–life balance demonstrates a negative relationship with stress levels, confirming its protective role in intensive hospitality settings. Additionally, students completing internships in resort-based hotels report higher professional motivation compared to those in urban properties.

The results suggest that hybrid hospitality environments function not only as operational settings but also as emotionally and professionally formative spaces. For developing tourism contexts, such as Kazakhstan, designing internship environments that balance experiential quality with sustainable workload management may contribute to long-term workforce development in the hospitality sector.