Educators and industry team up for overhaul of tourism studies
After a harsh evaluation of existing tourism programmes at secondary schools, the Flemish tourism department, school administrators and industry officials have joined hands to develop a roadmap for reforms
“Radical changes”
The evaluation report, which was prepared by the Agentschap voor Kwaliteitszorg en Vorming (Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Training) said that tourism programmes at the secondary school level leave students with “negative perspectives on succeeding in both higher education and on the labour market”.
The experts recommended “radical changes” and considered whether the programmes should even continue. About 2,500 secondary school students are currently enrolled in tourism programmes in the region.
The report led to quick action by Weyts. He organised working groups in which representatives from the education sector and the tourism industry discussed the shortcomings of the programmes and possible solutions.
Not just practical pointers
“A first important conclusion was that the teachers had difficulties determining which competences the business sector deemed necessary for new staff and which profiles they were looking for in particular,” says Jeroen Bryon, tourism adviser to minister Weyts.
There should be a bigger focus on online initiatives like Airbnb
The discussions revealed that the business sector is looking for new reception staff, guest check-in personnel and hospitality reps in particular. The parties also agreed that more attention needs to go to developing students’ language, IT, e-commerce and entrepreneurship skills.
“Another general conclusion was that the studies are not sufficiently keeping step with new trends,” says Bryon. “For example, there should be a bigger focus on online initiatives like Airbnb and the demand of increasingly more customers for extensive background information on local sites.”
Fast-moving sector
Keeping tourism studies in line with new developments is also a major aim of the Lerend Netwerk Duurzaam en Innovatief Toerisme (Learning Network Sustainable and Innovative Tourism), an initiative of Flanders’ tourism agency and the non-profit ViaVia Tourism Academy, which works on sustainable tourism development at an international level.
The Learning Network organises four study days a year around specific themes for the secondary, higher and adult education levels. They can include lectures, workshops or a visit to a tourist attraction. “We also provide a unique opportunity for teachers from different education levels to exchange experiences and tips,” explains co-ordinator Greet Huybrechts of ViaVia. A digital platform also allows participants to share knowledge and educational materials.
A recent study day, for instance, focused on the potential of MICE tourism, short for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions. This is a form of group tourism focused on planning, booking and facilitating conferences, seminars and related events.
Other study days have concentrated on creative ways to improve client services, working in intercultural environments and showing tourists the many faces of Brussels.
For Huybrechts, the harsh evaluation of tourism studies didn’t come as a big surprise. “Secondary school studies should focus on developing students' customer service skills more, both online and offline,” she says, adding that she is generally pleased with the reform plans. “The tourism sector changes very quickly; it is positive that action is being undertaken to make sure the education programmes adjust to the latest evolutions.”
Photo courtesy onderwijskiezer.be
Educational system
million school-going children in 2013
million euros Flemish education budget for new school infrastructures in 2013
percent of boys leaving secondary school without a diploma
- Education in Flanders
- Secondary education reform
- European Encyclopaedia on National Education Systems
