The Pedagogy of Hospitableness: A Transformative Approach for Hospitality Workforce Development

The ability to deliver hospitable service is essential for hospitality professionals in tailoring authentic and emotionally resonant guest experiences. However, limited attention has been given to how such a Hospitable Service Mindset (HSM) can be developed in the current and future hospitality workforce. Grounded in Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) and through qualitative interviews with hospitality trainers and educators, this study proposes the “pedagogy of hospitableness,” a framework encompassing conditions and practices that trigger, support, amplify, and accelerate the development of an HSM across formal and informal learning settings. The findings contribute to the expansion and advancement of TLT through the integration of social and emotional dimensions and the emphasis on connectedness as a crucial element in transformative learning. The study also demonstrates the applicability of TLT in hospitality workforce development settings, providing insights for industry trainers and educators on effectively nurturing hospitableness.