HOW DOES INTERNET ADDICTION AFFECTS THE FUTURE OF TOURISM?

The purpose of this study was to examine the kind and frequency of higher education students in Cyprus pathological behaviors related to internet addiction, as observed by higher education lecturers. A quantitative approach was used to analyze and understand in which level internet obsession ascends, the way in which it affects all aspects of higher education students’ life and their involvement at professional hospitality and tourism workplace and the kinds of programs and policies that could be used in schools to prevent internet compulsion. As a result, to affect the quality of service and the future of tourism in Cyprus. Corresponding to the results of this research, higher education teachers encounter very often the students with internet addiction in their theoretical and practical classes and they observe several symptoms such as distraction and mental absence from class. Thus, this research shows that students’ results are very influenced by internet addiction and their level of involvement in school. Last, according to the results of this research, prevention policies should focus on school policies and practices to understand the phenomenon of internet addiction.