The INNO4Tourism Project successfully organized the “Annual Forum on Skills Needs Identification for Sustainable Tourism Workforce in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector in Thailand” as part of the CAMT FSET 2025 Creative Digital & Tech Innovation event at Chiang Mai University. The forum attracted broad participation from multiple stakeholder groups, including representatives from tourism and hospitality-related industries, faculty members from tourism and hospitality academic departments, as well as high school and university students, highlighting strong cross-sector engagement.

In addition, a study-visit delegation from Thammasat University joined the event, contributing to academic exchange and inter-university collaboration. A key highlight of the forum was the interactive skill-voting session, where participants actively identified and prioritized essential competencies anticipated to be critical for the future sustainable tourism workforce, such as digital and data literacy, sustainability-oriented thinking, service innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This participatory and inclusive approach not only generated valuable evidence-based inputs for curriculum development and workforce planning, but also enhanced mutual learning between academia and industry. The event atmosphere was lively and enjoyable, characterized by open dialogue, hands-on activities, and informal networking, including a group photo session at the INNO4Tourism Project Booth. Overall, the forum functioned as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, and inspiration, reinforcing the role of higher education institutions in aligning education with industry needs for sustainable tourism development.

Overall, the organization of this forum was highly significant in demonstrating concrete and evidence-based outcomes regarding the skill requirements of modern tourism entrepreneurs and industry practitioners. By directly capturing perspectives from industry representatives, educators, and learners through interactive activities, particularly the skill-voting process, the forum provided clear and actionable insights into the competencies demanded by today’s and tomorrow’s tourism sector.

These outcomes contribute to a better alignment between higher education curricula and real-world industry needs, support the redesign of learning outcomes and training programs, and strengthen the relevance of interdisciplinary and sustainability-oriented education.

Furthermore, the forum fostered closer collaboration between universities and the tourism industry, encouraging co-creation, continuous dialogue, and shared responsibility in workforce development. Such engagement helps bridge existing skills gaps, enhances graduate employability, and supports the transition of the tourism sector toward innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability. Ultimately, the forum serves as a strategic mechanism for translating industry expectations into practical educational and policy implications, reinforcing the role of collaborative platforms in shaping a resilient and future-ready tourism workforce. 

Reporter: Areerat