The Influence of Tourism Educational Qualification Levels On Perceived Contextual Job Performance Behavior in Tour Firms in Nairobi (Published)
The aim of this study was to establish the influence of the Tourism Educational Qualification levels (TEQL) on Contextual Job Performance Behavior (CJPB) among employees in tour firms in Nairobi, Kenya. Studies have confirmed that besides formal job requirements for core- competencies, other forms of behaviors are also critical for the competitiveness of the tourism industry. This is due to the globalization of businesses, technological innovation, and the ever-evolving needs of the 21st century tourist among others. However, few studies have given attention to the correlation between educational qualifications and contextual performance behavior. Data was quantitively gathered from one hundred and thirty-one (131) supervisors, who rated three (3) randomly selected employees from the following levels of qualification: a bachelor’s degree holder; a diploma holder; & a certificate holder, on their CJPB. Both descriptive and inferential data analysis was conducted to assess the extent to which TEQL influences CJPB. The research findings showed that TEQL explained 59.1% of the total variations in the CJPB (R²= 59.1%). The regression coefficient output showed that TEQLs positively and scientifically influenced CJPB (β=0.769, p=0.001). The implication of these findings confirms that transitioning from a lower level of tourism educational qualification to a higher level improves an employee’s contextual job performance behavior by 0.587 units. It is for this reason that investing in developing tourism professionals has benefits for both employers and employees. This study recommends that tourism educators embed contextual skills in tourism programs in order to produce graduates not only with core competencies and business acumen, but also with humanistic values to cope with emerging trends.
Keywords: Tourism Industry, contextual job performance, tour operations, tourism educational qualification level
The Tourism Education and the Tourism Industry Imbalances: A Review of Skills, Curriculum Proponents and the Way Forward (Published)
The tourism sector is a complex industry, encompassing a wide range of labour needs from nonqualified to high-qualified personnel. However, it appears that tourism education society has evolved in a heterogeneous and ad hoc manner and does not necessarily meet the tourism industry’s skills-set needs. Tourism education confronts daunting problems in practice and curriculum development that call for innovative approaches and alliances, intended to enhance the graduates’ knowledge and skills. Therefore, this paper aims to ascertain the existence of gaps in tourism curricula development and skills sets required by the tourism industry. The paper findings emphasize stakeholders’ collaboration framework; tourism educators, students, parents, and government(s) to address the mismatch. In addition, the findings point to the importance of vocational and liberal approaches in tourism teachings, using a systematic approach. This study’s ideologies help the tourism curriculum developers, and tourism stakeholders harmonize their persuasions for satisfaction on both ends.
Keywords: Skills, Stakeholders, Tourism Industry, tourism curriculum, tourism education
The tourism education and the tourism industry imbalances: a review of skills, curriculum proponents and the way forward (Published)
The tourism sector is a complex industry, encompassing a wide range of labour needs from nonqualified to high-qualified personnel. However, it appears that tourism education society has evolved in a heterogeneous and ad hoc manner and does not necessarily meet the tourism industry’s skills-set needs. Tourism education confronts daunting problems in practice and curriculum development that call for innovative approaches and alliances, intended to enhance the graduates’ knowledge and skills. Therefore, this paper aims to ascertain the existence of gaps in tourism curricula development and skills sets required by the tourism industry. The paper findings emphasize stakeholders’ collaboration framework; tourism educators, students, parents, and government(s) to address the mismatch. In addition, the findings point to the importance of vocational and liberal approaches in tourism teachings, using a systematic approach. This study’s ideologies help the tourism curriculum developers, and tourism stakeholders harmonize their persuasions for satisfaction on both ends.
Keywords: Skills, Stakeholders, Tourism Industry, tourism curriculum, tourism education
AN ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF INDIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY (Published)
The Indian tourism industry is playing an important role in economic development of many sectors of our economy by generating employment both for skilled and unskilled labour force, by improving living standard, particularly of remote rural areas , foreign exchange earnings, infrastructure development, and boosts the world famous Indian traditional Art and craft. Tourism is an important catalyst in the socio-economic development of both rural and urban areas since the last two decades, contributing in several ways and strengthens the inter-connected processes. Tourism industry has potential to strengthen the inclusive economic development. It is a limitless industry with immense growth potential having clear remarkable positive impact on economic and social aspects of Indian economy
Keywords: Economic Evaluation, Indian, Tourism Industry