The Role of University Economic Incentives and Technology Development in Tourism Students’ Entrepreneurial Intention

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education. 2025. Vol. 37. No. 4. P. 438–449.

Vera Butkouskaya

The article investigates the university incentives (economic) and technology development (non-economic) factors encouraging young entrepreneurship in an inter-country context. Additionally, the paper examines the potential synergy between these economic and non-economic motivators. The study employs regression analysis on data obtained from surveys of 579 tourism students in Spain, Russia, and Belarus. The findings reveal a synergistic effect between economic factors (university financial support) and non-economic factors (technology development level in the region) on students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Notably, non-economic factors may overshadow the influence of economic factors in shaping these intentions. Furthermore, the study indicates that the impact of these factors varies across different types of economies. As an economic development level increases, motivational factors tend to exert a greater impact. This research provides insights into understanding entrepreneurial intentions among tourism students and their motivators. The practical application can help decision-makers balance economic and non-economic incentives while encouraging young entrepreneurship.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial intention, technology development, tourism students, inter-country comparison, university incentives

Publication based on the results of: Применение омниканального маркетинга для построения успешного взаимодействия с потребителями в условиях цифровой экономики (2025)