Tourism Education and Industry Expectations- Critical Analysis of the Skills Required

Abstract

Purpose: Tourism Education, a professional course, must impart knowledge and skill sets suitable for immediate employment in the tourism industry. This study aims to explore the expectations of tourism educators and industry, with respect to the important skill sets and knowledge required by the tourism students. Further, the study compares the views of tourism educators and industry representatives on the knowledge and skills imparted by tourism educational institutes in the country.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This is a Descriptive study wherein both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. For this study, data was collected from both primary and secondary data sources. In-depth interviews and questionnaires were the tools used to collect primary data while the secondary data have been collected from various university websites, journals, and tourism magazines.

Findings: The major finding of the study showcases that there exists a difference of opinion between the tourism teachers and industry with regard to the skill sets to be imparted to the students. While the tourism teachers stated that Communication skills, Information Technology & Computer skills and Leadership skills, respectively are the most important skills required by tourism students; the industry identified Leadership & Decision Making, ICT and Specific software, Teamwork & Ethics respectively as the important skills expected of Tourism students.

Originality/Value: This study has implication for the Industry, Academia and Students since it tries to bridge the gap between the academia and industry expectations with regard to the skills imparted through tourism education. This study also contributes to bridge the gap between industry and academia with regard to the shortcomings of tourism education in India; so as to minimize the hindrances faced by tourism students in getting gainfully employed by the tourism industry.