Over the past decade, there has been an increased emphasis on tourism training and education. This can be seen by the increasing number of institutes offering tourism and hospitality courses, especially in countries, such as Nigeria, that needs to diversify its economy and throw up tourism as a medium for economic growth and employment.
The worldwide growth of tourism, being the largest global income earner, has resulted in the high demand for suitably qualified tourism and hospitality staff, at all levels of the industry. The interdisciplinary nature of tourism is becoming very important to employers and education institutes alike. Fallows and Stevens (2000) completed a research programme in an effort to ascertain what employees are seeking from recent tourism graduates. The response was overwhelming, indicating that not only do they require the core academic skills and knowledge, but individuals who have the capacity to work independently, be able to think on their feet and be creative in their workplace solutions. As a result, education institutes must not only provide the essential interdisciplinary courses related to tourism, but encourage free and innovative thinking in their students, and imbue a sense of confidence in their abilities.
Several developments, including the varying nature of competition, changing labour market dynamics, changing demand patterns and consistent innovations in technology require new employability skills from graduates to enable them cope with the ever changing hospitality environment. Presently, employers are looking for educated workers who are flexible, resourceful and adaptable as business owners themselves seek to be more proactive and adaptable in their markets which are characterised by constant change.
The hospitality industry is an exciting industry, which not only offers a great lifestyle, but which is now offering the educated employee a dearth of opportunity for personal growth and career development. Ensure that you register with a reputable education institute which has a specialised tourism department, equipped to pass on the multi-disciplinary knowledge required to satisfy the needs of employers and succeed within the industry.
