TOURISM-AND-HOSPITALITY-STUDIES · HKDSE
TOURISM-AND-HOSPITALITY-STUDIES/11
(Section A Multiple-choice + Section B Data-based)
Tourism and Hospitality Studies · 2021 2021 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA)
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
150
195 min
Theoretical Models Application (Service Quality, Maslow, Plog's Personality Types)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
150
Duration
195 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2021 Tourism and Hospitality Studies (THS) paper presented a moderate-to-high level of difficulty (3.8 out of 5). While the Multiple Choice section in Paper 1 offered standard, predictable questions, Paper 1 Part B and Paper 2 essay questions demanded strong conceptual integr
While the Multiple Choice section in Paper 1 offered standard, predictable questions, Paper 1 Part B and Paper 2 essay questions demanded strong conceptual integration.
Rather than simple rote-learning recall, candidates had to apply complex academic models (such as Plog's tourist behavior model, the Service Quality Gaps 3 and 4, and Parasuraman's dimensions) directly to contemporary industry scenarios like COVID-19 travel restrictions, service automation, and climate change.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Theoretical
Weight: 8100%Recall
Weight: 788%Contextual Application
Weight: 675%Comparative Analysis
Weight: 450%Critical Evaluation
Weight: 225%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Reporting source
HKEAA Subject Examination Report — comments on candidates’ performance with marking schemes
Admission context
Levels feed JUPAS and non-JUPAS university applications; 5** and 5* are most selective
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “Illustrate” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “examples” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Distinguish” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2.8
Min per mark: 0
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Tourism concepts and principles
33 marks this session
Customer services
23 marks this session
Destination geography
23 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Tourism concepts and principles
Accommodation Sector
Current issues in tourism and hospitality
Customer services
Destination geography
Food and Beverage Sector
Customer relations
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 (MC & Data-Response):
Paper 2 (Essay Questions):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Tourism concepts and principles
33 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCustomer services
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDestination geography
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The 2021 Tourism and Hospitality Studies (THS) paper presented a moderate-to-high level of difficulty (3.8 out of 5). While the Multiple Choice section in Paper 1 offered standard, predictable questions, Paper 1 Part B and Paper 2 essay questions demanded strong conceptual integr
- 2Message
While the Multiple Choice section in Paper 1 offered standard, predictable questions, Paper 1 Part B and Paper 2 essay questions demanded strong conceptual integration.
- 3Message
Rather than simple rote-learning recall, candidates had to apply complex academic models (such as Plog's tourist behavior model, the Service Quality Gaps 3 and 4, and Parasuraman's dimensions) directly to contemporary industry scenarios like COVID-19 travel restrictions, service automation, and climate change.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2021 2021 2021
Tourism and Hospitality Studies
The 2021 Tourism and Hospitality Studies (THS) paper presented a moderate-to-high level of difficulty (3.8 out of 5). While the Multiple Choice section in Paper 1 offered standard, predictable questions, Paper 1 Part B and Paper 2 essay questions demanded strong conceptual integr
The 2021 Tourism and Hospitality Studies (THS) paper presented a moderate-to-high level of difficulty (3.8 out of 5). While the Multiple Choice section in Paper 1 offered standard, predictable questions, Paper 1 Part B and Paper 2 essay questions demanded strong conceptual integr
While the Multiple Choice section in Paper 1 offered standard, predictable questions, Paper 1 Part B and Paper 2 essay questions demanded strong conceptual integration.
Rather than simple rote-learning recall, candidates had to apply complex academic models (such as Plog's tourist behavior model, the Service Quality Gaps 3 and 4, and Parasuraman's dimensions) directly to contemporary industry scenarios like COVID-19 travel restrictions, service automation, and climate change.
- Total marks
- 150
- Duration
- 195 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The 2021 Tourism and Hospitality Studies (THS) paper presented a moderate-to-high level of difficulty (3.8 out of 5). While the Multiple Choice section in Paper 1 offered standard, predictable questions, Paper 1 Part B and Paper 2 essay questions demanded strong conceptual integration. Rather than simple rote-learning recall, candidates had to apply complex academic models (such as Plog's tourist behavior model, the Service Quality Gaps 3 and 4, and Parasuraman's dimensions) directly to contemporary industry scenarios like COVID-19 travel restrictions, service automation, and climate change.
Updated Jun 11, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 (MC & Data-Response):
Paper 2 (Essay Questions):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
77% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Paper 2)
90·5·60%
Paper 1A)
30·30·20%
Paper 1B)
30·3·20%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Part A (MC)
0.36 m/minPaper 1 Part B (Dat…
108.20 m/minTotal marks
561
Total time
60 min
Avg pace
9.35
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
MICE industry technology & post-crisis strategies
85%85%
Heritage Conservation vs Tourism Carrying Capacity in Hong Kong
80%80%
Difficulty Verdict
The 2021 Tourism and Hospitality Studies (THS) paper presented a moderate-to-high level of difficulty (3.8 out of 5). While the Multiple Choice section in Paper 1 offered standard, predictable questions, Paper 1 Part B and Paper 2 essay questions demanded strong conceptual integration. Rather than simple rote-learning recall, candidates had to apply complex academic models (such as Plog's tourist behavior model, the Service Quality Gaps 3 and 4, and Parasuraman's dimensions) directly to contemporary industry scenarios like COVID-19 travel restrictions, service automation, and climate change.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Vague Definitions of Gaps: Many candidates confused the internal management-employee gap (Gap 3) with external communication issues (Gap 4).
- Rote-learning of Maslow: When discussing how virtual tours meet Maslow's hierarchy (Paper 2, Q3b), candidates frequently listed the definitions of needs without explaining the physical/cognitive limitations of satisfying them in a virtual environment.
- Imprecise Culinary Food Safety Terms: In the food safety essay (Paper 2, Q5b), candidates often used general household language instead of professional industry terms for steps like 'thawing/receiving' and 'critical control points'.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 50
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.