Employability Skills Development in Hospitality

Abstract

A general estimate suggests that up to 10% of the global workforce is directly or indirectly employed in tourism and hospitality sector. Being one of the fastest growing sectors in global economy, the real challenge lies in matching the required skills with changing labour market. Researchers are of the opinion that it is really difficult to clearly define ‘skill' as it is subjective, relative, and perception based. The arguments range from formal qualification, on the job training to individual ability to perform certain jobs, etc. As such, all these factors help in our conceptual understanding which could even further be considered to be based on cultures, customs, traditions, and ethnicity with the fact that nature of hospitality operations is primarily a complex of social constructions. However, the generic consideration of skills in hospitality need to be explored in context with the changing employment patterns, technology, vocations, globalisation, glocalization, etc. across various markets and economies.