2025, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part C

The hospitality industry, a cornerstone of the global economy, is experiencing a widening skills gap despite its ongoing growth and increasing employment opportunities. Businesses typically lament the lack of digital literacy, sustainability knowledge, supervisory abilities, and service quality. The hotel sector has seen a full transformation due to the advent of AI-powered guest services, online reputation management platforms, property management systems, and sustainable practices. However, many schools continue to emphasize traditional service methods, leaving graduates unprepared for the demands of the contemporary industry. This study synthesizes information from both global and Indian contexts between 2023 and 2025 in order to examine skills requirement, evaluate effective digital training options, and assess how education policy frameworks could assist bridge the gap. The most promising approaches for cutting down on training time and enhancing workforce preparedness are blended learning, modular micro-credentials, and immersive technology like virtual reality and simulation. The Academic Bank of Credits, SWAYAM MOOCs, and India's National Credit Framework (NCrF) provide structural facilitators for incorporating modules related to the workplace into formal education. According to the report, all theoretical and practical areas in hospitality curriculum should incorporate digital and sustainability competences, and industry partnerships should guarantee the courses' continued relevance.

According to the findings, employment now depends on baseline digital fluency, platform literacy, data-driven decision-making, and green behaviors. Infrastructure investment, faculty expansion, and strict quality assurance will all be necessary for scaling solutions. Ultimately, retaining hospitality's competitiveness in the digital era requires developing a workforce that is both customer-focused and tech-savvy.