A Comparative Study of Students’ Perceptions of Managerial Competencies and their Implications on Tourism and Hospitality Education in Botswana

Abstract

Educational institutions act as avenues for human resource development in the tourism and hospitality industry. However, research, though anecdotal, indicates that institutions of higher education in Botswana have failed to inculcate the  skills and competencies required for tourism and hospitality graduates. This study is therefore based on tourism and hospitality students’ perceptions towards managerial competencies that would enable them to work and become successful managers in the industry upon graduation. The self-assessment of managerial skills (SAMS) instrument was used on a purposive sample of 84 students from the University of Botswana and 150 students at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. Findings reveal dominance of the mentor role amongst both sets of students. This finding to some extent reveals that students from both universities have higher levels of human relations skills than other skills. Such findings have implications on academia’s approach to teaching and learning in tourism and hospitality. For instance, faculties and industry partners are encouraged to allow students the opportunity and flexibility to engage in supervisory and coordination roles through such activities as executive shadow training and student managed projects.

Keywords: tourism and hospitality education, managerial competencies, students’ perceptions