Graduates’ skills gap in the tourism and hospitality sector: a case of Mauritius

Abstract

The tourism and hospitality sector contributes significantly to a country's overall economic development, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This study is centred on identifying and assessing the skills gap that is present among graduates in the field of tourism and hospitality of Mauritius. The study was conducted in two phases; firstly, a focus group discussion among various stakeholders was carried out for preliminary insights on the sector's needs and skills requirement. A survey was then conducted targeting both tourism and hospitality graduates currently working and not working in the sector. A Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was ultimately conducted to test the proposed relationships among the variables. Following the PLS-SEM, burnout was reported to positively influence skills, a negative relationship was reported between employee precariousness and skills, intention to quit, job security and job satisfaction were reported to be positively impacting graduates' skills. Trust was reported not to have a significant relationship with skills. This study provides both methodological and contextual contribution to existing literature. The mixed method approach brings more in-depth understanding and analysis of the subject matter. The usage of PLS-SEM as well brings more impetus to the results.