GRADUATES BETWEEN LEVEL OF THE TOURISM EDUCATION AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY WORK FIELD

Abstract

This research aims to follow up the career progress of graduates of the faculty of tourism and hotels, Minia University. In addition, it seeks to investigate if there is a gape between the tourism education and the work market according to the experience of graduates. A survey was conducted of a convenient sample of graduates from the three different departments (tourist studies, hotel studies and tour guidance) of the faculty of tourism, Minia University. The results revealed that 76% of graduates are employed in general, and the majority (78%) among them is employed in the hospitality and tourism sector. Although a great number of graduates join the sector shortly after graduation, half of them faced difficulties in work which are represented in the most cases in the incompetence of foreign languages followed by the shortage of experience. More males than females intend to leave their work in the tourism field.