Tourism Education and Digital Learning Environments: The Contribution of Transformative Learning

In today's era of rapid technological developments, new perspectives and challenges are emerging for tourism education. Faculty and students in tourism education consider the use of digital educational technologies an integral part of learning. However, the focus on exploring new teaching methods, techniques, and learning styles in virtual classrooms is an area of particular interest, differing significantly from in-person teaching. In this context and in line with modern educational practices, the utilization of Transformative Learning as a methodological tool through digital learning environments becomes essential as it provides interaction and engagement through dialogue and critical reflection. The main objective of this research paper is to investigate the effectiveness of digital learning environments, and the contribution of Transformative Learning in the tourism education learning process. According to this paper's findings, students in tourism education benefit from digital learning environments in terms of knowledge consolidation and the socio-emotional level. The implementation of Transformative Learning process is an effective methodological process with potential learning results providing intense interaction, facilitated communication, and fostering connection between students.