Reimagining Tourism Education: Equipping Africa's Future Travel Leaders
A pivotal discussion at the recent Travel, Hospitality & Tourism Education Summit in Lusaka has sent ripples through the African travel trade, urging a fundamental shift in how the continent approaches tourism education. The session, aptly titled “Integrating Industry Needs and Innovation in Tourism Education”, brought together leading voices from academia and the private sector, all echoing a shared conviction: tourism education must evolve to empower Africa's next generation of travel professionals.
The summit highlighted a critical need for greater alignment between educational programs and industry demands. Dr. Charles Ndakala of Zambia’s Curriculum Development Centre championed Zambia's shift towards a competency-based curriculum, emphasizing practical skills development. This model, with its 70/30 split between practical application and theoretical knowledge, aims to produce graduates who are not just qualified, but immediately ready to contribute to the industry. This focus on practical training addresses a key challenge faced by many African travel businesses, ensuring that new hires possess the skills needed to excel in a dynamic and competitive market.
Innovation and technology integration emerged as another crucial theme. Andre Mack from the EHL Hospitality Business School challenged conventional thinking, asserting that true innovation often comes from industry suppliers, not established businesses. This perspective underscores the importance of forging stronger partnerships between educational institutions and technology providers, ensuring that students are exposed to the latest advancements shaping the guest experience. For travel agents, this translates to a workforce equipped to leverage cutting-edge tools and technologies, enhancing service delivery and customer satisfaction.
The summit also placed a strong emphasis on fostering entrepreneurial thinking. Ms. Elwin Mary Mkanyika Mchigan of Kenya Utalii College advocated for introducing financial literacy and business skills at an early age, nurturing the next generation of tourism entrepreneurs. This focus on entrepreneurship is particularly relevant for Africa's travel sector, where small and medium-sized enterprises play a vital role. By equipping young professionals with entrepreneurial skills, the industry can foster innovation, create new job opportunities, and drive sustainable growth.
Laurent Schatzman, Employer Relations Director at the Swiss Education Group, introduced the concept of "intrapreneurship," encouraging students to think and act like entrepreneurs within existing organizations. He stressed the importance of developing essential human skills alongside technical expertise, highlighting emotional intelligence, collaboration, and adaptability as key differentiators in today's global tourism landscape. This focus on soft skills is crucial for African travel professionals, who must navigate a complex and ever-changing market.
The visualization below illustrates the proposed competency distribution for Zambia's tourism curriculum, highlighting the strong emphasis on practical skills. This model serves as a valuable example for other African nations seeking to bridge the gap between education and industry needs. For travel agents, this shift towards practical training promises a workforce better equipped to handle the demands of a dynamic and competitive market.
The summit concluded with a series of actionable takeaways for the African travel industry. Regional and national tourism competitions will be held to encourage innovation among students, while refresher courses for educators and professionals will ensure that training programs remain aligned with industry trends. Institutions were also urged to expand entrepreneurship initiatives, empowering students to create and launch their own ventures. These practical steps offer a roadmap for transforming tourism education in Africa, creating a more skilled, adaptable, and innovative workforce.
The key message resonating from the summit is clear: Africa's travel industry must invest in its human capital. By embracing innovative educational models, fostering entrepreneurial thinking, and prioritizing practical skills development, the continent can unlock the full potential of its tourism sector and position itself as a global leader in travel and hospitality. This transformative approach will not only benefit individual travel businesses but also contribute to broader economic growth and sustainable development across Africa.
