Predictors of Employability of Tourism Management Graduate

Tourism is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries, per the World Tourism Organization, accounting for more than 10% of the Global GDP and supporting one in every ten jobs globally (World Travel & Tourism Council, 2019). The tourism sector has witnessed massive growth and change over the past few years, which has led to a critical analysis of the determinants of the employability of its graduates. As the face of tourism shifts with advances in technology, consumer tastes, and global issues, it is necessary to recognize what skills and traits make an individual more job-ready in this rapidly changing industry. The job market landscape, however, is more dynamic than ever, and it is evolving due to globalization, automation, and recent advances in artificial Intelligence. Identifying the significant factors affecting employability, as well as the requirements of the new job market, can tremendously help all stakeholders (Mezhoudi et al., 2021). Evidence suggests that in addition to academic education, critical employability skills consist of soft skills such as communication, flexibility, and problem-solving capabilities, which employers in the tourism and hospitality industries increasingly recognize as necessary (Mohanty and Mohanty, 2019). Recognized that many employers prioritize such soft skills more than technical knowledge, and with this, an indicated need for more focus on experiential education and individual development in tourism training programs. The employability of graduates has been an area of interest for academia and the industry for quite some time, with different research studies emphasizing those factors that enhance a graduate’s chances of employability. Examining the functions of education, skills, experience, and industry trends, offers an understanding of what renders job seekers competitive in the tourism employment arena. Employability within the tourism industry extends beyond a degree, with employers increasingly placing value on real-world experience, skills, and flexibility to the dynamic forces of the industry. Where there has been a rise in educational courses tied to tourism, a disturbing number of graduates enter the employment arena with insufficient preparation. Which abilities do employers place the most value upon? How is hands-on experience used in decisions to recruit or not recruit someone? By asking these questions, we seek to shed light on the roads to success within a sector that not only withstands but also basks in possibility.