Digital skills among students in tourism and hospitality studies: the case of North Macedonia

Cvetanka Ristova Maglovska

Abstract

As technology progressively influences daily life, the tourism and hospitality industries are integrating digital technologies to meet tourists' expectations. Consequently, digital skills are becoming progressively essential as the workplace evolves. Businesses consistently seek employees with these competencies, increasing the demand for knowledge in digital skills. The industry's digital need is evident, leading to the expanding value of digital workers. Employers are advocating for upgraded skills, resulting in today’s job seekers requiring specialized skills to help them stand out from the crowd. While some certain universities and other educational institutions have modified or expanded the curriculum to address the increasing demand for digital skills, there is a pressing need for research to assess the growth of digital skills among students in tourism and hospitality studies, with them being the main providers of tourism services in the industry. This research, not previously conducted solely on students enrolled in tourism and hospitality studies in North Macedonia, aims to present findings on digital skills among students at the Faculty of Tourism and Business Logistics by identifying levels of digital skills. For this, a quantitative methodology was used through the application of a survey amongst 100 students at undergraduate studies.

Keywords: digital skills, hospitality, students, tourism, workplace.