Management & Leadership in the area of digital transformation – the case of Hospitality Industry

"<< Background >>The ML&DT project aimed to share good practices in educating and qualifying young and adults in digital transformation, focusing on the hospitality industry. It supported partners in guiding youth, adults, and companies towards digital transformation and sustainability. Enabling management staff to share experiences identified necessary digital skills and encouraged their inclusion in training.The pandemic greatly impacted Hospitality and Tourism sectors over the last years, necessitating digitalization in daily work. Regions like Algarve (Portugal) and Canary Islands (Spain) faced growing challenges. Sustainability and digitalization were crucial in Spain, with 80 mio. tourists annually and tourism contributing around 14% to GDP. The cross-national exchange on these aspects of tourism with Portugal and Germany was an enrichment for FEDA's training project. Erasmus + KA2 offered the opportunity to work with partners to find new ways in the field of education and to build bridges to the future world of work.The ML&DT project aligned with Erasmus+ priority on digital transformation. It strengthened the sharing of practices between training entities, encouraging digital skill acquisition.<< Objectives >>The goal was significant advancements in digital transformation in hospitality + tourism sectors. AHK addressed training needs in digital transform, analyzing its implementation in courses for young adults in the hotel sector.The aim was to identify key competences needed to adapt to labor market changes. AHK modernized continuous qualification curricula + integrated digital transform. content in initial courses, enhancing teachers' + coordinators' competences. Conclusions benefited partner companies by enhancing HR skills. FEDA focused on sustainability + digitization in Tenerife's hospitality industry. They aimed to incorporate these aspects into school and company curricula, modernizing self-employment training + involving European partners to develop teachers' + coordinators' competences. FEDA empowered target groups to coordinate + develop themes on digital transformation + sustainability. BBQ targeted continuous qualification in digital transformation for managers + leaders. They learned from Portugal and Spain's companies' experiences, especially with Covid-19 challenges + digital transformation in hospitality. BBQ improved their capacity to offer continuous courses on digital transformation + sustainability in the industry<< Implementation >>The visits and workshops aimed to discover best practices and experiences in facing digital transformation challenges and identifying key skills relevant to the sector.The coordinator welcomed partners in May 2022, focusing on ""Key Skills for Digital Transformation in the hospitality industry."" hared insights into integrating digital transformation into training for young adults, highlighting pedagogical methods. A questionnaire's results explored changes made by Algarve region client companies to meet digital market demands. FEDA hosted partners, focusing on ""Implementation of Digital Transformation and Sustainability Processes in the Hospitality."" The meeting took place in November 2022 in Tenerife. FEDA emphasized practical training for young individuals and responses for professionals, showcasing best practices and methodologies. A workshop explored theoretical changes resulting from digital transformation, gathering testimonies on key competences.BBQ's meeting centered on ""Best Practice - Digital Dimension - Management and Remote Leadership."" The meeting took place in May 2023 in Friedrichshagen. Emphasis was on the digital dimension for management and coordinators, integrating relevant content into training. << Results >>Results for AHK: developed Curricula in digital transformation (DT). Sharing training offers focused on theoretical part + pedagogical practices from AHK management + coordination + experiences of hotels in Algarve, with challenges faced during DT, due to Covid-19. Adapted/new solutions in DT area to address needs were identified by companies + transfered partners' situations.Results for FEDA: FEDA hosted partners focused on implementation of DT + sustainability processes in hospitality in Tenerife between 16.+18.11.22. Shared how DT + sustainability were integrated into training companies, with practical training for young people + responses for professionals. Best practices + on-site training methods were shown. Workshop explored theoretical changes resulting from DT, testimonies from companies highlighted key competences for future challengesResults for BBQ: Best practices + experiences were exchanged with training companies, adaptable to realities of AHK + BBQ. Opportunities for new cooperation + networks were explored. Key skills required to address DT challenges, in hospitality sector were identified. Topics related to DT + sustainability were explored. Example of education + training ecosystem in digital area was provided"