Workplace Competency of Tourism Management Graduates: A Qualitative Employer Feedback Study

The travel and tourism industry are constantly evolving. It is the responsibility of higher education institution to supply the tourism sector with skilled labor. If employers give feedback on graduates, it will be simpler to match academic initiatives with industry requirements and guarantee that program offerings, such as tourism management, remain relevant over time. This qualitative study aims to explore how employers view the conduct, skills, and readiness of students pursuing tourism management. The results will be used to develop curricula and align academic preparation with industry norms. Informants for this study included employers in the sector, such as managers, supervisors, and heads of departments from the local government unit, a beach resort, a public school, sports club, airlines, and a hotel food and beverage department. Data was collected through semi-structured in-person and videoconference interviews. According to the study, universities are essential in producing tourism professionals who can perform their jobs, adapt to any kind of workplace, and are always aware of the demands of the travel and tourism industry, as well as other customer-focused sectors. The study found that graduates in the tourism sector possess strong foundational strengths, such as adaptability and a willingness to learn, which are critical for starting a professional career. The university must fill some important gaps, like those in soft skill development and applied industry knowledge, intensifying technological advancement to learning exposure, in order to keep turning out competent tourism management graduates.