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The Value of Skills for a Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Industry

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  • Susana Silva

    (CEOS.PP, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4465-004 São Mamede de Infesta, Portugal
    CITUR, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4480-876 Vila do Conde, Portugal
    ESHT, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4480-876 Vila do Conde, Portugal)

  • Cândida Silva

    (CITUR, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4480-876 Vila do Conde, Portugal
    ESHT, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4480-876 Vila do Conde, Portugal
    Algoritmi Center, Universidade do Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Mónica Oliveira

    (CITUR, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4480-876 Vila do Conde, Portugal
    ESHT, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, 4480-876 Vila do Conde, Portugal)

Abstract

Skills are one of the main themes in academic and labor environments. Nowadays, digital, green, and social and cultural skills are the key to achieving sustainable practices and sustainable development goals. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the current and future needs of digital, green, and social and cultural skills for the tourism and hospitality sectors. This was a quantitative study, with an online survey applied to students, teachers, and professionals. It was a convenience sample with 150 participants. Data were analyzed statistically with IBM SPSS version 28.0. Our results suggested that students, professionals, and trainers value digital, green, and social and cultural skills. With reference to digital skills, all participants considered themselves having an intermediate or advanced level of proficiency. All the participants considered themselves having an intermediate or advanced level of green skills. Regarding social and cultural skills, all the participants considered themselves having an advanced level of proficiency. Therefore, professionals reported higher levels of proficiency in all skills. In the same way, in the tourism sector, we observed higher proficiency levels of skills. To summarize, educational, sectorial, and entrepreneurial sectors recognize the relevance of digital, green, and social-cultural skills for the tourism and hospitality industry. With these skills, the sector will be more prepared to implement sustainability practices and achieve sustainability goals. Additionally, entrepreneurs should value these skills in professionals, and education institutions should integrate the development of these skills into their curricula.

Suggested Citation

  • Susana Silva & Cândida Silva & Mónica Oliveira, 2025. "The Value of Skills for a Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Industry," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jtourh:v:6:y:2025:i:1:p:14-:d:1573968
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Erasmia Papallou & Martha Katafygiotou & Thomas Dimopoulos, 2024. "Emerging Sustainability Trends in Tourist Facilities: A Comparative Assessment of Multiple Hotels and Resorts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-19, April.
    2. United Nations UN, 2015. "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Working Papers id:7559, eSocialSciences.
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