The Future of Tourism: A Training Needs Analysis

In an ever-evolving tourism landscape, adaptability and foresight are essential for success. The Future of Tourism: A Training Needs Analysis addresses these challenges by examining the changing skill requirements for tourism professionals in response to the complexities of the industry and the dynamics of the market.

This publication is the culmination of extensive research conducted under the Erasmus+ co-funded Partnership for Excellence - CoVEs (Centres of Vocational Excellence) for the Tourism Industry. It brings together an international consortium of 23 partners from Belgium, China, Greece, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Led by AKMI SA, the largest Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider in Greece, the TourX initiative (Project No: 101056184) aims to cultivate a bottom-up approach to excellence in the tourism sector, empowering partnering educational providers (VET and Higher Education Institutions) to enhance their capacity to swiftly adapt skills provision to the evolving economic and social landscape.

Through a comprehensive research methodology that includes a literature review, this analysis identifies key challenges, such as the development of upskilling and reskilling training programs, the urgent necessity to diversify and strengthen the resilience of the tourism economy, and the need for smart investment mechanisms that promote fairer and more sustainable models of tourism development in alignment with the EU and national agendas within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This report provides a forward-looking analysis of skills development, which is crucial for maintaining a competitive advantage in the tourism industry. Its objective is not only to address current challenges but also to anticipate future needs, ensuring that tourism professionals are equipped with the competencies required to navigate potential disruptions and enhance the sector's resilience.