MAPPING OF EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT LEARNERS WITH THE TOURISM INDUSTRIES IN TAMIL NADU

The concept of employability skills is increasingly recognised as a pivotal determinant of success in the current dynamic business environment within the tourism sector. The human capital constitutes the core competency of the workforce in organisations, embodying the collective knowledge, skills and abilities that distinguish graduates in a highly competitive labour market. The present study is centred on examining the alignment of employability skills imparted through MBA Tourism Management programmes with the evolving requirements of the tourism industry in Tamil Nadu. The primary objective of this research is to analyse the employability skills currently provided by tourism management institutions and to evaluate the perspectives of employers, faculty members and students regarding these skills. The study also seeks to determine the extent of alignment between institutional provisions and industry expectations.It identifies the challenges encountered in the process of skill development. A mixed method research design has been employed to collect both primary and secondary data. The primary data were obtained from 661 respondents, comprising 331 tourism industry employers, 77 faculty/curriculum builders and 253 MBA Tourism Management learners through the administration of structured questionnaires. The secondary data were drawn from tourism organisations, educational institutions and official government reports. It offers a comprehensive understanding of industry trends and educational policies. The analytical framework incorporated statistical tools such as Correlation, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-tests to ensure rigorous interpretation of the findings. The outcomes of the present study provides the valuable insights for tourism management institutions in Tamil Nadu. These insights hold the potential to guide the formulation and implementation of curriculum strategies that strengthen graduate employability. It minimise skill gaps and develop educational programmes that are closely aligned with industry requirements. And by addressing the critical challenges associated with employability skill mapping, institutions can not only enhance graduate readiness for professional roles but also contribute to the overall competitiveness and sustainable growth of the tourism sector.