In Romania, the day October 5 celebrated Education Day, on this day being also World Teachers' DayThis year the central theme is "The teachers we need for the education we want: the global imperative to reduce the teacher shortage".
On this occasion, the Romanian Hotel Industry Federation (FIHR) was actively involved at the national level through its members, in organizing the event – Open Day. Thus, through a collaboration between FIHR member hotel units and educational institutions across the country, presentation visits will be organized for students, to give them an idea of what hospitality work means. "We have registrations for an estimated attendance of over 800 young people at this event. Through training and mentoring, we can attract more young people to this field, so that they better understand what working with clients entails, their expectations and how much a smile and a kind word bring, according to the saying "The man sanctifies the place", declared Simona Constantinescu, President of FIHR. In partnership with other NGOs, FIHR is also involved in organizing competitions for children who want a career in the hospitality field – under the aegis World Skills Competition.
As formal education is the one that sets the foundation in the field, the role of teachers and the quality of teaching become essential. Opening schools to partnerships with the business environment, teaching through a combination of theoretical sessions and practical workshops (supported by specialists in the field), conducting quality internships and implementing education support projects can be solutions for improving the quality of formal education.
At the same time, recognition and appreciation of teachers are important factors for their well-being and motivation. In the post-pandemic context, multiple indications of a motivation crisis among teachers globally have emerged, which substantially contributes to the problem of teacher shortages.
In the field of tourism, teachers have the desire and responsibility to be up to date with industry trends and advances and to integrate them into their teaching methodology. Generation Z, now aged 14-23, has expectations that teachers be more than just a transmitter of information – they want a combination of teaching skills, mentoring, sharing experiences, being the first generation to be born into the digital environment and having grown up online, accessing technology early, wanting a personalized education and more interesting opportunities.
Dedicated teachers want active support from the business environment. Thus, FIHR in partnership with the Association of Teachers and Mentors in Tourism "Edu4Tourism" supported this initiative at the International Conference "Bridge the gaps!" organized on the occasion of Tourism Day. At the event, the participants (teachers and specialists in the field of research sciences and the field of tourism) expressed their desire for improvement, to participate in shadowing projects (tracking in the workplace) of employees in order to be up to date with the latest trends in the hospitality field. The specialists expressed their interest in being involved in updating the educational framework for the occupations necessary for the field.
At the European level, a labor shortage of approximately 20% of the market requirement is estimated (according to research conducted by Hotrec - the European confederation in the field), both in 2022 and in 2023. This deficit can only be covered by changing the approach to attracting and retaining people in the field and can start right from the school level. The tourism education system in Romania needs a change in the mentality of children and parents. The hospitality industry is one in which people feel good thanks to the generosity and hospitality of those who work for them, requiring increased attention to developing communication skills, relationships and promoting positive approaches.
The Romanian Hotel Industry Federation (FIHR) is the first hotel employers' organization in Romanian tourism, being present at national level in 28 counties and cumulating over 17,000 rooms in member hotel properties, representing the interests of the Romanian hotel industry through permanent dialogue with the authorities and the media, as well as with other associative entities at national and European level. FIHR is affiliated with HOTREC at European level and with the Concordia Employers' Confederation at national level, the employers' confederation representative of the Romanian business environment.
