International students and VRF Tourism: What do we know?

Abstract

International education has become a growing phenomenon worldwide with the help of increased mobility and globalisation. Research has shown a strong connection between international education and tourism. In particular, international students have been found to have a significant impact on the tourism industry of their study country. This paper investigates a specific form of tourism in which they are involved, namely VFR (visiting friends and relatives) tourism. It attempts to build a conceptual understanding of the relationship between international students and VFR tourism. A number of relevant issues are addressed, including the concept of VFR tourism, its economic and socio-cultural significance, the role of international students in VFR tourism and the host-guest relationship manifested in their VFR tourism experience. The paper suggests how these elements are linked and their places within the wider tourism-migration literature. It also sheds further light on concepts and theories regarding the notion of hosts and guests in the modern, mobile world.