Smart Business Skills of Tourism University Students Applicable on International Labour Market

The tourism sector is facing new challenges such as technological advancements, climate change, increasing uncertainty caused by crises, and changes in consumer behaviour, leading to higher demands for job quality. These factors are putting pressure on the skills of students and university graduates. Previous collaborations and partner activities have shown that graduates have certain gaps in the skills they have acquired. Changes in the demand for graduates' skills and anticipated shifts in the labour market present an opportunity to revitalize the tourism sector to be future-ready. Therefore, we decided to submit a project focused on identifying employers' requirements for the skills of tourism university students. In the project, we aimed to address gaps in graduates' skills, changes in teaching methodologies and courses content, including the development of an interactive application that would help respond quickly to new needs and facilitate easier entry into the labour market. In this way, we sought to build the resilience of the tourism sector, tackle the challenges of green and digital transformation, and ensure a higher level of workforce qualification, thereby reducing job insecurity.

The main aim of the project was to enhance the business skills of tourism students on the international labour market. The achievement of the main goal was supported by the sub-goals: 1. Develop the skills of tourism students in selected courses in line with the labour market requirements of V4 countries. 2. Create an online application for the public/students/teachers with the option to establish a startup and start their own business. 3. Establish long-lasting and sustainable collaboration in tourism between universities and the Pelikan company. Our aim was to ensure that graduates are employable and prepared for the labour market, while also helping businesses acquire qualified employees. The online web application will expand opportunities for establishing startups and starting businesses. Upon project completion, businesses will gain graduates with relevant skills, which will shorten and simplify the adaptation process of new employees, eliminate the need for additional training costs, and increase the sector's resilience. We also wanted to foster collaboration between universities and business partner in the exchange of information and know-how, as well as to adapt the education process to the international labour market.

The specific outputs and other results of the project include: 1. An interactive dashboard summarizing skill requirements in the labour markets of Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, and Hungary, as well as identifying key attributes of tourism graduates from the perspective of 201 tourism businesses. Communication with national and international organizations (UNWTO, EC, SlovakiaTravel, CzechTourism, POT). Publication of professional and scientific articles. 2. New syllabi for 10 courses at three universities, focusing on addressing the identified gaps in skills, knowledge, and competencies. Creation of books. 3. An online application designed to improve soft, hard, and sustainable skills by creating personalized offers. The evaluation of work is supported by AI, complemented by qualitative teacher assessment. The application is available in Slovak, Czech, Polish, English language. 4. Evaluation of the teaching success through quantitative measurement (self-assessment method). Achieving improvements in students’ skills, knowledge, and competencies. Evaluation of feedback from teachers and students on using the application. 5. A summary of the project results in an informative brochure aimed at dissemination and project sustainability.