The digital skills divide: evidence from the European tourism industry

Purpose: This paper aims to present the findings from a European study on the digital skills gaps in tourism and hospitality companies. Design/methodology/approach: Mixed methods research was adopted. The sample includes 1,668 respondents (1,404 survey respondents and 264 interviewees) in 5 tourism sectors (accommodation establishments, tour operators and travel agents, food and beverage, visitor attractions and destination management organisations) in 8 European countries (UK, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands and Bulgaria). Findings: The most important future digital skills include online marketing and communication skills, social media skills, MS Office skills, operating systems use skills and skills to monitor online reviews. The largest gaps between the current and the future skill levels were identified for artificial intelligence and robotics skills and augmented reality and virtual reality skills, but these skills, together with computer programming skills, were considered also as the least important digital skills. Three clusters were identified on the basis of their reported gaps between the current level and the future needs of digital skills. The country of registration, sector and size shape respondents’ answers regarding the current and future skills levels and the skills gap between them. Originality/value: The paper discusses the digital skills gap of tourism and hospitality employees and identifies the most important digital skills they would need in the future

Cumplimiento de la Agenda Europea de Competencias: la importancia de las habilidades sociales para una industria turística y hotelera sostenible

The research presents the results of a quantitative survey of senior managers’ evaluation of proficiency of employees’ social skills completed in 2019 within the framework of the Next Tourism Generation Alliance, a European Commission funded project. The current and future levels of proficiency, social skills gaps and training are assessed. The sample includes 1404 respondents from organisations across eight countries in Europe in five tourism and hospitality sectors (hospitality, food & beverage, tour-operators, visitor attractions and DMOs). Results show significant country-based differences and variations according to the type of organisation, operational sector and organisation size. The required future levels of the social skills are strongly related to their current levels. Two clusters are identified based on the management perceptions of employees’ social skills gaps. Respondents in the first cluster (N=871) see only small gaps between the current and required future proficiency levels of social skills in their organisations while respondents in the second cluster (N=533) perceive much larger gaps. The findings indicate a need to develop holistic social skill training and education which supports quality customer experiences and sustainable tourism criteria.La investigación presenta los resultados de una encuesta cuantitativa sobre la evaluación, por parte de altos directivos, del dominio de las habilidades sociales de los empleados realizada en 2019 en el marco de la Alianza Next Tourism Generation, un proyecto financiado por la Comisión Europea. Se evalúan los niveles actuales y futuros de competencia, las carencias en habilidades sociales y de formación. La muestra incluye 1404 encuestados de organizaciones de ocho países europeos de cinco sectores del turismo. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre países y variaciones según el tipo de organización, el sector operativo y el tamaño de la organización. Los niveles futuros requeridos de las habilidades sociales están estrechamente relacionados con sus niveles actuales. Se identifican dos grupos en función de las percepciones de los directivos sobre las carencias de los empleados en materia de habilidades sociales. Los encuestados del primer grupo (N=871) sólo ven pequeñas diferencias entre los niveles actuales y futuros de competencia en habilidades sociales, mientras que los encuestados del segundo grupo (N=533) perciben diferencias mucho mayores. Los resultados indican la necesidad de desarrollar una formación y educación holísticas en habilidades sociales que respalden las experiencias turísticas de calidad y los criterios del turismo sostenible.This publication is developed within the frame the “Next Tourism Generation Alliance" (NTG Alliance) project of the European Commission (project reference 17D029897). This project has been funded within the Erasmus+ KA2 programme (Sector Skills Alliances 2018 for implementing a new strategic approach (Blueprint) to sectoral cooperation on skills; EAC/A05/2017, LOT 3) and with support from the European Commission

Sustainable tourism: Developing local capacity frameworks - the colead (cooperating for leadership in tourism) initiative

This study analyses the importance of sustainability in tourism and how it can be implemented in the management of tourism projects and destinations through a clear and structured methodology utilising the PM4SD (Project Management for Sustainable Development) approach to project implementation. The methods applied to this paper focus on a review and evaluation of the CoLead project and its effectiveness in transferring sustainable tourism projects from theory into practice. This study is based upon two case studies, in Bulgaria and Wales and have adopted a broad qualitative approach based upon in depth interviews with key protagonists and participants associated with the project. The paper's findings raise questions regarding broader applicability, sustained support, stakeholder participation and long term management and funding for the continuation for such projects. In this respect the paper concludes with broader lessons that can perhaps be learnt from projects such as CoLead

Environmental skills gaps in tourism and hospitality organisations: evidence from Europe.

This research analyses the current self-reported level of proficiency of environmental skills, the required future level of proficiency, and the gaps between them. Given the increasingly urgent need for the tourism industry to take action to support environmental management practices, this research provides evidence of key environmental skill gaps. Mixed methods research is applied where the sample includes 1404 respondents to a questionnaire and 264 interviewees from senior management of organisations from five tourism sectors (accommodation establishments, food and beverage outlets, destination management organisations, tour operators and travel agents, visitor attractions) in eight European countries. Analysis of variance, t-tests, correlation and cluster analyses, and Pearson Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that the country of registration, the size and the tourism sector type influence significantly the current and future proficiency levels of environmental skills, and the gaps between them. Most respondents did not receive environmental skills training. Theoretical, managerial and policy implications are also discussed

Environmental Skills Gaps in Tourism and Hospitality Organisations: Evidence from Europe

This research analyses the current self-reported level of proficiency of environmental skills, the required future level of proficiency, and the gaps between them. Given the increasingly urgent need for the tourism industry to take action to support environmental management practices, this research provides evidence of key environmental skill gaps. Mixed methods research is applied where the sample includes 1404 respondents to a questionnaire and 264 interviewees from senior management of organisations from five tourism sectors (accommodation establishments, food and beverage outlets, destination management organisations, tour operators and travel agents, visitor attractions) in eight European countries. Analysis of variance, t-tests, correlation and cluster analyses, and Pearson Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that the country of registration, the size and the tourism sector type influence significantly the current and future proficiency levels of environmental skills, and the gaps between them. Most respondents did not receive environmental skills training. Theoretical, managerial and policy implications are also discussed

Rethinking digital foci-what are the real digital needs of Welsh tourism organisations?

The use of digital technologies is becoming more evident within the tourism industry, however it is characterised by different levels of usage between rural, small and medium organisations versus large, urban ones. This paper reports on findings of quantitative and qualitative research focussing on the mapping of the current digital proficiencies and future digital skills of tourismrelated organisations in Wales. The results show that whilst the highest projected digital skills gaps in 2030 relate to emerging technologies such as AI, AR and VR, more pressing digital needs relate to the use of social media and online marketing. The study identifies lack of need, time and/or budget as main reasons for lack of digital engagement and training

Knowledge dialogue through Indigenous tourism product design: a collaborative research process with the Lacandon of Chiapas, Mexico

This research analyzes an innovative process employed by Indigenous entrepreneurs and employees to design new and imaginative products closely related to their cultural, social and natural heritage, values and resources. In the State of Chiapas, with over one million Indigenous inhabitants, where poverty has persisted for decades, government and international agencies have promoted the development of many Indigenous tourism initiatives. However, the employment of top-down strategies focused predominantly towards the provision of tourist facilities failed to recognize the crucial role of tourism products and activities, thus sustaining and promoting stereotyped ideas of Indigenous peoples. This paper focuses on the benefits of collaborative research and knowledge dialogue between scientific and traditional wisdom to overcome some of these limitations through the application of an Indigenous Tourism Product Development Model. Using Participatory Action Research processes, university researchers worked with the management and staff of four Indigenous (Lacandon) owned and operated companies located in the communities of Lacanjá Chansayab and Nahá (Lacandon Jungle) in Mexico, to create a series of new cultural and heritage-related products. The paper explores the capacity of this process to revitalize culture while fostering feelings of accomplishment, participation, cultural pride and creative confidence among the co-researchers

The Imperative to Address Sustainability Skills Gaps in Tourism in Wales

Tourism is fundamental to the economy of Wales, and the government tourism plan 2020–2025 centres on sustainable development. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of research undertaken by the Next Tourism Generation Alliance (NTGA) project in Wales evidencing sustainability skills gaps. Survey data collected from five tourism sectors, accommodation, food and beverage, destination management, visitor attractions, travel agents and tour operators, show that the highest green and social skills gaps were identified in food and beverage businesses, whilst accommodation reported the lowest skills gaps. The effect of the type of tourism sector, business size and job level on green skills gaps perceptions was found to be insignificant, which indicates that training in sustainability skills is considered important regardless of these variables. The effect of type of tourism activity on perceptions of social skills gaps including personal and communication was significant. Addressing skills gaps is crucial given the significance of the industry in the national economy and the need for recovery from COVID-19. Tourism is one of the worst affected industries in the pandemic, and global market research and policy guidance highlight the importance of sustainable tourism development to ensure a resilient recovery

A political economy of small scale business development in Gambian tourism

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