Journal Press India^®

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AI, AR, and VR technologies are increasingly reshaping higher education, including tourism and hospitality programs, by creating innovative opportunities for interactive learning. The study examines the application and integration of AI, AR, and VR technologies in BA and MA programs in tourism at Georgian higher educational institutions, with a particular emphasis on their educational benefits and implementation challenges. The study employs qualitative and quantitative research approaches to analyze tourism education programs offered in the Republic of Georgia during 2025–2026/2026-2027 academic years. According to data from the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, 15 higher education institutions in Georgia currently offer 19 tourism programs, comprising 14 Bachelor's and 5 Master's programs. The findings indicate that although Georgian universities adopt digital educational practices, the systematic integration of AI, AR, and VR-based technologies into tourism programs’ curricula remains moderate and unsystematic. The study reveals that the application of AI, AR, and VR technologies has a positive influence on student engagement, interactive learning, digital skills’ development and smart and green tourism ecosystem. Despite these benefits, the broader implementation of such technologies is faced by financial barriers, limited technological infrastructure, insufficient availability of qualified academic and industry-based staff, and underdeveloped institutional digital transformation policies. The research contributes to the evolving scholarly discourse on technology-driven tourism education and proposes recommendations for fostering innovative educational practices across Georgian higher education institutions within the tourism and hospitality sector.

Keywords

Higher Education; AI Technologies; BA; MA Programs; Georgia

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