Tourism & mobility in transition - new skills and further training are in demand
Digitalization, sustainability and changes in consumer and travel behaviour require new skills and flexible learning formats in the tourism, mobility and event industry. The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts is responding to this with innovative continuing education courses, including the new Short Advanced Studies SAS.
A particular focus: consumer behavior in an increasingly networked, value-oriented world. The Institute of Tourism and Mobility ITM is actively shaping this change - in a practical, future-oriented and industry-relevant way.
New demands on the tourism, mobility and event industry
The framework conditions for the tourism, mobility and event industry have been changing fundamentally for several years. Consumers today are more informed, digitally connected and increasingly value-oriented. They compare prices and services in real time, expect seamless experiences across all touchpoints and react sensitively to sustainability promises. This increases the demands on companies: Anyone who develops offers, wants to appeal to guests or designs customer experiences now needs an expanded skillset in addition to industry-specific expertise - with knowledge of digitalization, sustainability and changing customer needs.
However, it is not just the content of work that is changing, but also the learning needs of skilled workers. Flexible and compact training formats that can be easily integrated into everyday working life are in demand today - without losing any professional depth. The trend is moving away from large, long-term programs towards shorter, targeted learning units that teach specific skills.
From this, the ITM and the entire Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts derive important impulses for the further development of its own continuing education portfolio. Existing courses are being reviewed and expanded in a targeted manner or converted into new formats, microcredentials. In order to adapt the new offerings to the needs of specialists and managers, ITM listened to the industry last winter and conducted a survey on the needs of new continuing education formats. The focus was on the requirements for further training in the area of consumer behavior.
New further training courses: Short Advanced Studies SAS
Short Advanced Studies SAS provide up-to-date specialist knowledge and job-specific skills in a compact format. The first short programs in the area of public transport and events can already be attended and can be credited to CAS programs. In addition, a new course entitled ’Consumer Behavior in Tourism & Mobility’ is currently being planned based on the aforementioned survey. This further education course is aimed specifically at specialists and managers who work in areas such as product development, marketing, sales, CRM, guest management or service innovation. Central questions of consumer psychology, behavioral economics and behavioral pricing are dealt with - each with a focus on digital developments, sustainable applications and ethically responsible implementation.
The Institute for Tourism and Mobility ITM is setting an example: For continuing education that is geared towards the real requirements of the industry - and provides targeted support for people on their way to a dynamic future.
Authors:
Malin Anna Wenzke, Research Assistant
David Kurt Walter, Lecturer and Continuing Education Coordinator
