PLANNING FOR TOURISM EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE 1990S - BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION

Geographers have played an important role in developing degree programmes in tourism studies during the 1980s and 1990s. This paper examines trends and developments in education for tourism in the 1990s and considers the development of degree programmes in tourism within a geography department. It highlights potential labour market problems and the need for closer contact between education and industry. The paper argues that education for tourism at degree level needs to be more industry-centred and it reports the results of a questionnaire survey of major tourism employers in Kent and the implications for future course and curriculum development.