Time for Reforms in Tourism Education

Tourism education has matured over the past fifty years, and several authors have questioned and presented studies on what should be in the content of tourism programs offered in higher education. Conclusions showed that there is a requirement for reforms in education styles, curriculum and structures in the delivery of this very important economic activity - the tourism industry. At a time when the collapse in international travel represents an estimated loss of USD 1.3 trillion in export revenues. The crisis has put between 100 and 120 million direct tourism jobs at risk, many of them in small and medium-sized enterprises. Most experts do not to see a return to pre-pandemic levels happening before 2023. This situation permits time for tourism educators and institutions to shape their curriculum's, programs and structures to develop employable graduate’s inline with the sector requirements. A professional learning program to meet both sector and student requirements has been designed.