Current Requirements for Professional Training of the Specialists in Tourism Industry in China

Abstract

Background. The study is due to the rapid development of the tourism industry in China, where digitalization, sustainable development and increasing international influence through tourism are key factors. This requires training specialists with new competencies that meet the challenges of the global market.

Objective. The analysis of current requirements for professional training of personnel in the tourism industry in China and the development of recommendations for optimizing educational programmes are the main goals of the study.

Methods. Methods include the analysis of strategic documents (e.g. "The Tourism Industry Development Plan for the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025)"), data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, academic research (China Academy of Tourism), as well as a review of educational programmes of leading universities (Beijing University, Sun Yat-sen University). Documentary and comparative analysis, case studies, processing of data from the Chinese WanFan database were also applied.

Results. The modern tourism education in China is characterized by a transition to practice-oriented learning, integration of digital technologies (big data analysis, artificial intelligence), an interdisciplinary approach and an emphasis on intercultural communication. Key trends were identified: growing demand for specialists in the exhibition industry, ecotourism and digital marketing, as well as the need to bridge the gap between theoretical training and employers' requirements.

Conclusions. To strengthen China's position as a leader in global tourism, it is necessary to introduce modules on sustainable development, strengthen language training. The specific measures may include: Mandatory training in the programme "Sustainable Tourism: International GSTC Standards" for all teachers; Establishing joint laboratories with Alibaba Group and Trip.com to practice working with AI and big data, as envisaged by the "China Tourism Digitalization Strategy until 2025"; expand international cooperation and digitalization of educational programmes. The implementation of the proposed measures will reduce the personnel shortage (the prognosed need is 20 million specialists by 2025). This forecast is based on data from the "China Tourism Industry Statistical Yearbook 2024", which calculates that the annual increase in the number of jobs in the tourism sector is 8–10%, and the current productivity of specialist training covers only 65% of market needs. Further support comes from research by the China Tourism Academy (2023), which predicts a particularly acute shortage of specialists in the fields of ecotourism and digital marketing. It requires to increase the competitiveness of graduates in the global market.