Hotel Management Education and Professional Competency Development: A Review of Curriculum, Pedagogy, Employability, and Industry Expectations

Abstract

The hospitality industry continues to evolve due to globalisation, technological advancements, changing customer expectations, and increased competition. Consequently, hotel management education faces growing pressure to develop graduates equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies. This review synthesises findings from nineteen (n = 19) studies published between 2009 and 2026 concerning hotel management curricula, pedagogical approaches, professional competencies,   employability,   and industry expectations. A review approach was used to identify major themes and trends in the literature.

The findings reveal persistent gaps between academic training and industry requirements, emphasising the importance of competency-based curricula, experiential  learning,  industry  partnerships,  and  innovative  teaching methodologies. The review highlights critical competencies demanded by employers, including those are associated with industry expectations. The review highlights critical competencies demanded by employers, including leadership,  communication,  problem-solving,  customer  orientation,  and digital literacy skills. The study contributes to hospitality education literature by providing a comprehensive synthesis of existing evidence and proposing directions for curriculum reform and future research.