Penfold, P.van der Veen, R.2025-12-172025-12-172014Journal of Teaching in Travel and Tourism, 2014; 14(1):69-861531-32201531-3239https://hdl.handle.net/11541.2/120832The study presents a comparison between the learning approaches of first and final year students, supplemented with the teachers' perspective at a university in Hong Kong. The study examines the learning approaches of Confucian heritage culture students and the teachers' perspective in the context of outcome-based curricula. The results indicate that a higher proportion of final year students pursue surface learning goals than first year students. Nevertheless, the vast majority of first and final year students embrace a deep approach to learning. This is in stark contrast to the teachers' perspective because they believe that the students generally adopt a surface approach to learning. Steps to an interactive and positive learning environment to effectively respond to outcome-based learning are provided.enCopyright 2014 Taylor and FrancisConfucian heritage cultureHong Konglearning approachesoutcome-based educationstudy process questionnaireJournal article10.1080/15313220.2014.872903000414843600004