Abstract

To master tourism education, students need direct practical experience above standard classroom study because it helps them gain necessary competencies and functional information. The Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management program enables students to experience tourism operations through tours which promote their encounter with industry professionals and expand their practical knowledge base. Student hands-on participation in these experiences removes theoretical barriers to actual work experience to make them career-ready for hospitality, travel, and tourism management fields. The research used descriptive type of research and purposive sampling, where 100 fourth-year students of BSTM at the Bestlink College of the Philippines were used as respondents. Students were also highly satisfied, as the tours generated greater interest in studying tourism and reinforced their respect for historical and cultural sites. Safety measures were overall thought to be effective, although transport reliability was identified as the area of concern. Of the difficulties, delay in travel, excessive travel hours, and cost constraints stood out as the most frequently experienced issues for students. The research concluded that educational tours play a crucial role in bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practice, ensuring that students have comprehensive learning experiences that promote both intellectual and personal growth. It is, however, recommended that tour planning, financial viability, and logistical management need to be enhanced to ensure best benefits. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of experiential learning in tourism education and calls for relentless innovation in the organization of educational tours to provide students more effectively for future professional careers and life skills.