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In a world reshaped by technology, climate change, and shifting traveller expectations, the tourism, hospitality and events (THE) industries are evolving faster than ever before.
For educators, the challenge is clear. It is no longer about preparing students for jobs that exist today, but for roles that have not yet been imagined.
With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, I have seen firsthand how critical it is for education to evolve in tandem with the industries it serves. Forward-thinking education institutions are now actively responding by setting new standards for how we teach, mentor and inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Tech, a teaching tool
From contactless check-ins to predictive analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) is now a permanent fixture in hospitality operations and increasingly in classrooms. Today’s hospitality education must reflect the tools and platforms used by industry leaders, such as property management systems, CRM platforms, and revenue optimisation tools.
Students are no longer passive learners. They now learn through simulations, industry-led workshops, and live projects with hotel partners. These experiences offer exposure to AI chatbots, guest feedback analytics, and service enhancement apps, mirroring real-world applications.
Platforms like Opera Cloud or social listening tools for event planning are no longer “add-ons”, but core components of hospitality training. Yet, it is essential to remember that technology should enhance human connection, not replace it.
As educators, we must ensure students view AI and automation not as job threats, but as tools to deepen personalisation, efficiency and decision-making. The key is knowing how to use them with empathy and purpose.
A career in THE will not always come with clear titles. Experience curators, sustainability strategists, metaverse concierge specialists – these are some roles that are already emerging. Our response must be proactive.
Rather than preparing students for traditional roles, we must instead focus on dynamic, cross-disciplinary futures. This means cultivating future-proof skills such as adaptability and agility, creative problem-solving, digital fluency with human empathy and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
A prime example would be for educational institutions to go beyond traditional learning by embedding project-based learning, innovation challenges, and industry mentorships into their curriculum.
By partnering hotel groups and tech providers, we enable students to build real-world competencies and at the same time expose them to the emerging landscape of hospitality and tourism, ensuring they can lead in evolving contexts.
Heart of hospitality
Despite our growing reliance on digital platforms, THE remains a people-first business. The real competitive edge in the age of AI is not technology, but the emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity that only humans can provide.
Educational programmes must model this “high-tech, high-touch” balance, and institutions must act as bridge-builders for students by connecting academia, industry and the community.
This means:
- Embedding ethical AI and data privacy modules into core curricula
- Regularly updating syllabi to reflect industry trends and tools
- Promoting interdisciplinary learning with business, IT, and sustainability faculties
- Strengthening work-based learning with industry experts and entrepreneurship pathways
- Celebrating student achievements, innovation showcases and community engagement
The aim is to strike the right balance whereby students not only learn tech; they also engage in service excellence competitions, cultural immersion events, and leadership activities that emphasise empathy and communication.
Whether it is through a warm smile at check-in or an emotionally intelligent response to a guest crisis, students must be trained to preserve the soul of hospitality even in digital-first environments.
Purpose and passion
The future of THE education demands courage, creativity and care. It is preparing students to lead, not just serve, an industry in flux.
By embracing innovation without losing sight of human connection, educators are shaping graduates who are job-ready and more importantly, future-ready. As the landscape continues to change, one truth remains: authentic service, underpinned by ethical and emotionally intelligent leadership, will always be at the heart of great hospitality.
Dr Ruth Sabina Francis is the programme director of Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (Hons), School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Faculty of Social Science and Leisure Management, at Taylor’s University.
The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
