Enrolment for tourism courses in Institutes of Higher Learning up 14% over past 2 years

Key Concepts

• Tourism Program Enrollment: Increased interest in higher education tourism programs.
• Job Market Demand: High demand for tourism sector jobs, contributing significantly to national job openings.
• Talent Shortage: A lack of young, local talent in the tourism industry.
• Industry Engagement: Importance of career fairs and conferences to connect with and attract young talent.
• Work-Study Opportunities: Programs designed to give students practical industry experience.
• Curriculum Refinement: Educational institutions updating tourism courses to include digital, AI, and soft skills.
• AI and Human Collaboration: The role of AI in augmenting human capabilities in the tourism sector.
• Soft Skills Emphasis: Focus on empathy, entrepreneurial thinking, communication, and problem-solving.
• Industry Preparedness: Equipping students with skills to handle complex problems and contribute to the sector.
• Internship Experience: Practical application of learned skills in real-world hospitality settings.
• Singapore Tourism Performance: Economic and visitor arrival statistics for Singapore's tourism sector.
• Global Appeal Factors: Key attractions driving Singapore's tourism.
• Future Investment: The necessity of investing in young talent to maintain Singapore's position as a tourism hub.

Renewed Interest in Tourism Programs and Sector Growth

Institutes of higher learning are experiencing a resurgence in interest in tourism programs, evidenced by a 14% increase in student enrollment over the past two years. This surge in academic interest coincides with a robust demand from the tourism sector itself. In the second quarter of this year, the sector accounted for nearly three-quarters (approximately 75%) of all job openings listed on the national portal, highlighting its significant contribution to the job market.

Tourism Career Fair and Talent Acquisition

A tourism career fair, held as part of the Singapore Hospitality and Tourism Conference, showcased nearly 700 job opportunities. These roles span various functions, including data management and business intelligence, across diverse entities such as hotels, event organizers, and attractions. A key driver for such events is the identified shortage of young, local talent entering the industry. As stated by an industry representative, "There are a shortage of young talents especially the locals into the industry. Uh hence that's the reason why uh a fair like this at the Singapore Hospitality and Tourism Conference is important for us to engage the young talents uh to let them know um that you know hotel industry is ever changing."

Work-Study Opportunities and Industry-Academia Collaboration

To bridge the gap between education and employment, work-study opportunities are being offered. These programs provide students with practical exposure to the industry, allowing them to gain hands-on experience. This initiative benefits not only students but also industry players, who gain access to fresh perspectives and ideas and a renewed, youthful talent pipeline.

Curriculum Evolution: Digital, AI, and Soft Skills

Educational institutions offering tourism courses are actively refining their syllabi to prepare students for a future increasingly shaped by technology. The focus is shifting towards integrating digital and AI skills while ensuring that soft skills remain central to training. This pedagogical approach emphasizes the development of:

• Empathy
• Entrepreneurial thinking skills
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills

The rationale behind this emphasis is that "in today's world our hospitality and tourism related students or graduates must be able to solve complex problems." The aim is to foster an environment where students can "work together with AI with bots with human in the loop to value add to the tourism sector."

Case Study: Lima Yang's Internship Experience

Lima Yang, a 19-year-old final-year student at Nanyang Polytechnic, exemplifies the practical application of these evolving educational approaches. During his internship at Four Seasons, he was involved in handling guest inquiries and concierge tasks. His training in hotel management software proved invaluable, enabling him to "hit the ground running." He noted, "There is a module in school that allows us to familiarize and there are tests on um how good you are at it. And this really helped me translate into real industry world context because it really kind of shortened my learning curve as well." This highlights how academic modules directly translate into reduced learning curves in professional settings.

Singapore's Tourism Sector Performance and Global Appeal

Singapore's tourism sector demonstrated strong performance in the first half of 2025. It earned $15.7 billion, representing a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Visitor arrivals also saw a positive trend, climbing 2% to 12.9 million. The city-state's global appeal remains strong, attributed to major attractions such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, international concerts, and business conventions.

Future Outlook and Investment in Talent

With new venues and hotels in development, the sustained momentum of Singapore's tourism sector is seen as dependent on investing in young talent. This investment is crucial to "keep Singapore at the forefront as a leading tourism and events hub."

Conclusion

The tourism sector is experiencing a dual growth: increased academic interest and significant job market demand. Educational institutions are adapting by integrating digital, AI, and essential soft skills into their curricula, preparing students for complex challenges and collaborative work with technology. Practical experiences through internships and work-study programs are proving vital in shortening learning curves and equipping graduates for industry needs. Singapore's tourism sector, bolstered by its global appeal and strategic investments, recognizes that nurturing young talent is paramount to maintaining its position as a leading international hub for tourism and events.