Future workforce skills for hospitality and tourism business in Thailand

Abstract

Currently, the hospitality and tourism industry in Thailand is at a state of great flux. This, therefore, calls for a highly competent and versatile workforce to deal with this situation. For this paper, we shall attempt at providing an overview of the current skill set from the current workforce involved in the hospitality and tourism industry in Thailand. We also attempt to identify the prevailing opinions of the managerial personnel on different work aspects, which include the perception of the skills that Thai workers possess. Moreover, the paper looks at what the managers would want and hope for in the future workforce, and the strategies applied to develop such skills in workers soon. This qualitative research approach is employed to dig deep into the minds of key decision makers in Thailand by way of in-depth, one-on-one, or small group interviews to document and consolidate the insights and viewpoints of distinguished executives and top-level decision makers belonging to prestigious hotel and tourism conglomerates in Thailand. The findings of our research unmistakably indicate that the hospitality industry in the country is doubtless in a growth and prosperous period, where it successfully meets various and constantly changing preferences among tourists coming for different purposes. With the tourism industry in Thailand mushrooming, it is vital to establish what has contributed to such success. With more and more people globe-trotting and with tourists pouring in droves into Thailand, the need for a skilled workforce within the hospitality industries is at an all-time high. It therefore becomes relevant during these times of change to identify the skillset of the personnel at work within this vibrant industry. Deep inside the minds of managerial professionals, we can gain a clear insight into how they perceive the current workforce. By conducting comprehensive interviews on an individual and small group basis, we hope to capture the capability and strengths of the Thai workforce with a great degree of subtlety. Second, we also attempt to find out what aspirations and expectations the managers have from the future workforce. The resulting skills and competencies will have to be identified as the industry continues to evolve, but by exploring strategies utilized to develop such skilled labor, we expose the preparations being made for the workforce of tomorrow. Our qualitative research methodology enables us to interact directly with key decision-makers in the industry. We have thus gathered much information and opinion by involving those senior executives and senior-level decision makers of reputed hotel and tourism conglomerates. Their valuable insights helped us to closely look into the current scenario and aspects which still needed to be improved. Our findings clearly revealed that the hospitality industry in Thailand is one of the fastest growing and most successful sectors. It has satisfactorily adapted to the increasing and changing tastes and preferences of the tourists coming from different parts of the world. On the other hand, innovation and high-quality service have allowed this industry to satisfactorily address the needs and desires of its guests. Conclusion Our study puts light on the change which the hospitality and tourism industry of Thailand is experiencing at present. The following sections provide a broad outline of the skillset of the workforce, based on in-depth interviews with managerial professionals. We have taken a closer look at what industry leaders expect and/or hope for in the future workforce, and how they are developing the skills necessary to meet those expectations. This research supports the notion that the hospitality industry is increasing its growth to meet the demands of a multifaceted global customer base.