Unlocking Global Potential: Intercultural Competence and Challenges of Tourism Management Graduates

Abstract

Tourism is an industry that emanates on cultural exchanges; thus, understanding and respecting diverse cultures is vital for its success. This quantitative study investigates tourism management graduates’ intercultural competency (IC) based on Reisinger’s dimension- environmental, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive (language and communication). One hundred thirteen (113) graduates were asked through online survey. It reveals that they had notable capabilities in honoring cultural differences, displaying empathy and engaging in language acquisition. They are evidently receptive to diversity. However, the study also revealed that graduates encountered difficulties in conflict resolution across cultures and exhibited inadequate confidence in professional intercultural communication. Furthermore, a significantly low number of graduates had undergone official intercultural training. This discrepancy indicates that although graduates are perceptive and flexible, they may struggle with high-pressure professional environments. The findings urge the academic unit to transcend theoretical frameworks and integrate intercultural ability into practical applications via immersive internships, exchange programs, micro credentials on cultural diversity and foreign language and local dialect instruction. This study will also be a basis for instructional material development that can enable students to flourish as globally aware and interculturally competent tourism professionals.