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Transforming graduates into successful hotel management trainees: Exploring important management trainee competencies

ABSTRACT Hotel management trainee (MT) programs have ubiquitously been adopted by the hotel industry. However, the knowledge of important MT competencies has not been updated for almost a decade to respond to changes in the current generations of MTs and their managers. This study chooses Thailand as a research setting due to its emerging challenges in MT programs. This study aims to investigate (1) the key challenges faced by Thai MTs, (2) the crucial competency set for MTs, and (3) the MT competency gap from the points of view of MTs and educators. Data derived from interviews with 10 successful MTs and 10 educators demonstrate gaps in the challenges and MT competencies. Research findings suggest the following: 1) Generation gap has some influences on the perception toward the required MT competencies. 2) “Adaptability,” “Leadership skills,” “Listening to feedback from others” are top three characteristics for MTs under the Thai context. 3) Although educators emphasize critical thinking, strategic positioning and industry-specific knowledge, MT hoteliers highly focus on self-management, communication and leadership domains. Recommendations on curriculum adjustment to decrease the MT competency gap between two stakeholders and the implication on the MT program are suggested to educators and hoteliers.