Age isn’t but a number: Training a multi-generational tourism workforce

Swathi Ravichandran *

* Correspondence: Swathi Ravichandran (email: rswathi@bgsu.edu)

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Received: 20 Mar 2019
Revised: 27 Mar 2019
Accepted: 27 Mar 2019
Published: 15 Jun 2020
DOI: 10.58810/vhujs.7.1.2020.7114
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How to Cite
Swathi, R. . (2020). Age isn’t but a number: Training a multi-generational tourism workforce. Van Hien University Journal of Science 7(1), 3-15.
Issue
Volume 7 - Issue 1 (2020)
Section
Cultural - Sport - Tourism

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Abstract

The tourism industry's labor force is made up of multiple generations including Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Generation Yers or Millennials, and Generation Zers. Individuals belonging to different generations do differ in values, cognitions, and behavior, potentially impacting workplace dynamics including preferred methods of training and development. For example, Generation Yers, born between 1981 and 1999 were raised in high tech, neo-optimistic era and are technologically adept; however, Baby Boomers tend to resist change and are not technologically savvy. This paper goes through the traits of various generations that make up the tourism workforce and effective training and development strategies for these generations. The benefits and outcomes of effective training strategies are also discussed.
Keywords: tourism, hospitality, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z, Boomers, training

Article Details

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