Skillscapes is a research project implemented under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0”, funded by the European Union and NextGenerationEU. It focuses on studying skills and transformations in the tourism labor market by combining research, data, and innovative applications.
The workshop was coordinated by Professor Stelios Gialis, Coordinator of the Skillscapes Research Project, and Dr. Konstantinos Gourzis, Research Coordinator at the University of the Aegean.
In the first part of the workshop, Professor Gialis provided a brief overview of the project’s main themes and objectives and emphasized the importance of understanding the transformation of the tourism labor market, as well as the need to use research results for informed decision-making and practical implementation.
The next presentation, delivered by researchers Dr. Konstantinos Gourzis και Γιώργος Συκάς from the University of the Aegean, showcased the progress of the project’s research component. Their talk emphasized innovative theoretical and empirical approaches to employment in tourism and presented a detailed categorization of the skills associated with the specific tourism professions under study.
Professor Athina Vakali from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki focused on the development prospects of Skills and Employment Observatories. She also addressed critical issues such as precarious employment, the lack of up-to-date data on the tourism sector, skills mismatches, and the growing need to strengthen green skills.
Magda Peistikou from INSETE discussed the skills of “tomorrow’s tourism”, presenting INSETE’s Tourism Skills Toolkit and highlighting the organization’s initiatives in vocational training and the empowerment of human resources in the tourism industry.
Finally, George Voulkas και Ioannis Karagiorgos from APOPSI S.A. underscored the importance of career counseling in the tourism sector. They focused on the role of Artificial Intelligence in modern career guidance, the tools and processes involved, and the emerging trends shaping the future of career development in tourism.
The second part of the conference featured an insightful Fireside Chat on “The Tourism Labor Market and Skills: Opinions and Expectations of Stakeholders,” coordinated by Ms. Nektaria Marava (APOPSI S.A.) και Ms. Irini Brezetou (University of the Aegean).
The discussion brought together key experts, including Dr. Maria Morfoulaki και Dr. Glykeria Myrovalis (CERTH/HIT), Mr. Stefanos Hatzimanolis (Association of Travel Agencies of Macedonia-Thrace), και Ms. Kseni Gerna (Ministry of Tourism – Experimental School of Advanced Vocational Training (IVT) of Macedonia).
Dr. Maria Morfoulaki highlighted the strong connection between tourism and transport, noting that “sustainable mobility is an integral part of sustainable tourism.” She emphasized that developing sustainable transport solutions requires new skill sets for professionals—such as digital literacy, environmental awareness, and the ability to collaborate within cross-sector networks. Integrating these competencies into tourism education, she added, is essential for building a greener, smarter, and more competitive tourism model.
In discussing the operation of the Experimental IVT, Ms. Kseni Gerna addressed the challenge of digital illiteracy and the lack of basic skills among students, observing that many begin their studies without sufficient familiarity with essential digital tools. Her remarks underscored the importance of strengthening foundational skills to prepare future professionals for the evolving demands of the tourism sector.
However, she emphasized that “tourism requires not only technical and digital expertise, but also ethics, consistency, and a deep sense of responsibility towards visitors and partners.” He underlined the importance of integrating social skills into training and retraining programs within the sector. At the same time, she highlighted the crucial role of lifelong learning and continuous professional development, enabling employees to acquire new and relevant skills. She also pointed out the need to strengthen the connection between educational institutions and the labor market, stressing the value of an experimental and flexible educational framework that can adapt to evolving industry demands.
Mr. Stefanos Hatzimanolis, in his remarks, focused on the existing gap between education and the real needs of the market. “There is a clear disconnect between education and actual industry requirements,” he noted, adding that “we face a shortage of apprenticeships, hands-on training opportunities, and practical experience.” He also underlined the necessity of cultivating both social and digital skills that combine technical expertise, technological competence, and ethical professionalism.
In turn, Ms. Magda Peistikou discussed the emerging skills shaping the future of tourism, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in an ever-changing industry. Concluding the discussion, she reminded that “tourism is, above all, a human experience,” and urged professionals to “rediscover the core values of hospitality and conscious professional responsibility.”
The key takeaway from all interventions was the need to upgrade tourism education by strengthening digital, social, and green skills, as they are essential for building a sustainable and environmentally responsible economy. Participants also emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between education, research, and the labour market.
The workshop concluded on a positive note, with stakeholders expressing their commitment to ongoing collaboration and continued dialogue about the future of employment in the tourism sector.
Learn more about the Skillscapes project at https://skillscapesproject.eu/ and follow the project’s social media pages on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.