In one of our recent features, we highlighted how a lack of updated training and outdated curricula stand to adversely affect the global tourism industry.
In today’s feature, we at Travel Daily Media seek to present three vital areas in which tourism education may be improved along with the level of expertise of the next generation of industry professionals.
As previously stated, there remains an obvious gap between existing curricula and shifting industry requirements, particularly where sustainable and regenerative tourism are concerned, along with the rapid pace of digital transformation.
With this in mind, curricular developers need to put sustainability at the forefront of training programmes, along with the relevant technologies now being used in real-world situations in the field.
Also very important are industry-relevant skills related to customer service, operations management, and institutional leadership as a way of grooming next-generation leaders who can step up and lead the industry into a more dynamic future.
Areas for improvement
By addressing the aforementioned core areas for development, schools and universities offering courses in tourism management, hospitality service, and hospitality leadership can produce well-equipped graduates who can manage resilient and optimised tourism and hospitality operations in the future.
In which case, attention must be given to the following:
- Sustainability in tourism management Contemporary tourism education needs curricula which focus on the industry’s economic, social, and environmental impacts. That said, points of learning ought to include environmental and institutional stewardship, green operations, as well as a good immersion in community-centric tourism;
- It’s all about technology Another area for improvement involves measures for digital transformation and innovation in tourism. As such curricula need to include relevant technologies already being used in the field, including artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality technologies in simulation training, as well as digital marketing tools for those who wish to specialise in advertising and sales; and
- Ramping up skills training Training in practical skills took a dive during the pandemic due to the lack of opportunities for in-person immersion. That said, schools need to rectify the situation by offering ample opportunities for interpersonal skills development. At the same time, given how these have changed, students also need a solid foundation in entrepreneurship, risk management, itinerary planning, as well as customer service.
We have previously mentioned that more than 50 percent of the global tourism workforce is under the age of 25.
In which case, properly equipping young people for the rigours of the sector is key and those in the business of training them need to focus on developing the sort of human capital who make the tourism experience a fulfilling one for all those involved.
