Reviewing the digital skills and readiness of hospitality and tourism graduates: a way of success

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the digital skills and readiness of recent graduates from hospitality and tourism management programmes in Cyprus for job roles in the hotel industry. It seeks to identify gaps in their competencies and provide recommendations for enhancing educational curricula to better align with the evolving demands of the industry. Design/methodology/approach The study includes 19 semi-structured interviews with graduates of hospitality and tourism management programmes. Findings Recent graduates of hospitality and tourism management programs possess basic digital skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint), email platforms and video conferencing tools (Zoom and Skype). However, there is a significant gap in their practical experience with industry-specific software, such as Opera, Fidelio, Booking.com and Expedia, which are critical for hotel operations. Graduates mentioned that those tools were only briefly covered in their academic programmes, leaving them underprepared for their application in real-world settings. Additionally, graduates expressed a need for more comprehensive training in digital marketing tools, social media management platforms and customer relationship management systems. Originality/value This preliminary research aims to give industry stakeholders, including educators, an initial understanding of the importance of digital skills and the readiness of hospitality and tourism graduates in this area. In countries that rely heavily on tourism but face a shortage of skilled employees, it is vital to understand the gap between what students are learning and what the industry actually needs.