On 9 December 2024, TourX and EVBB co-hosted the high-impact webinar “Renewing Tourism Education: Bridging Skills Gaps for a Modern Workforce”, attracting over 135 participants from 25 EU Member States and 7 non-EU countries. The event provided a platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and educators to explore the state-of-the-art in tourism training and to present innovative pathways for future skills development.
A Strong Line-Up of Experts and Institutions
The webinar featured contributions from the European Commission, Breda University of Applied Sciences, University of Aveiro, European Digital Learning Network, European Federation of Rural Tourism, and EVBB. Panelists addressed urgent issues in the sector, such as the need for reskilling and upskilling, especially in digital, sustainable, and soft skills.
TourX, as a leading EU-funded project on vocational excellence in tourism, presented its ongoing work on study visits, training programs, and skills foresight—emphasizing themes such as AI, blockchain, and digital marketing as essential competencies for the post-COVID tourism workforce.
Key Takeaways
- Skills Intelligence Systems: New models like those developed in the PANTOUR project aim to forecast tourism sector needs using surveys, interviews, and data analytics.
- Emerging Skills: Digital, green, and soft skills were highlighted as top priorities. Tools like gamification, virtual simulations, and e-learning are reshaping the way vocational training is delivered.
- Inclusion & Flexibility: Participants stressed the importance of modular learning, micro-credentials, and short-term courses tailored to the realities of seasonal and small-scale tourism operations.
- Youth & Future Workforce: Strategies to make tourism careers attractive to younger generations were shared, focusing on autonomy, flexibility, and purpose-driven work environments.
Outcomes & Next Steps
The webinar concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration, cross-sector partnerships, and alignment between training providers and industry needs. Participants were encouraged to engage with the EU Pact for Skills for Tourism and to contribute to the growing knowledge base on the EU Tourism Transition Pathway.
With over 98% of attendees reporting increased understanding, the event successfully advanced the conversation around renewing tourism education and reinforced TourX’s role in leading this transformation.
