The 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.[Copyright of Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.2753/CED1061-1932470103]