An Assessment of the Hospitality and Tourism Talent Cultivating Mode in Nigerian Federal Polytechnics

Abstract

In response to increasing demand for hospitality and tourism talents by the industry employers, a number of Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria offer National and Higher National Diploma programs in both hospitality and tourism management options. The talent cultivating mode of these institutions is inclined to technical and vocational education. However, the desired skills sought by the enterprises – the lodging, catering and leisure and travel firms are hardly met. This paper reviews the various hospitality and tourism talent cultivating models and examines and analyses the training system by the Polytechnics in the light of competency and performance on the real jobs. A blend between theory and practice with innovation has been discovered to be the best strategy for constructing and cultivating talents in hospitality and tourism management.