The hospitality and tourism industry is facing a serious skilled manpower shortage globally, and the best way to meet the manpower needs of the industry is through training and education. The shortage of skilled talent is a global issue in the hotel and tourism industry. WTTC (2015) shows that 37 out of 46 countries are facing a talent ‘deficit’ or ‘shortage’; a shortfall of 14 million jobs in the travel and tourism sector is forecast, which stands to reduce its contribution to global GDP by US$610 billion over the next ten years. Examples of countries reporting such worries are Canada (TWIG, 2017), Australia (AusTrade, 2017), India (Barot, 2012), and Singapore (Singapore Tourism Board, 2014). Apparently, industry, tertiary institutions, and governments, are all trying hard to attract more talent to meet the industry’s needs. However, as consumers, students these days have abundant choice for higher education program and tertiary institution. The decision whether to choose the hospitality and tourism discipline or another discipline in pursuit of higher educational attainment is still up to the individual young adult concerned.

Ho & Law, Finding and Fostering Our Future Tourism Leaders_Undergraduate Choice in Pursuit of Hospitality and Tourism Higher Education PP.pdf

Ho & Law, Finding and Fostering Our Future Tourism Leaders_Undergraduate Choice in Pursuit of Hospitality and Tourism Higher Education.pdf