Generic competences and tourism graduates

This study examines how universities can attain knowledge of the generic competences demanded by society. The paper discusses to what extent this knowledge should be used in the design of tourism programmes and presents a critical approach to the role played by the labour market in tourism education, while the survey and its methods act as a practical tool for those developing the tourism curriculum. The research findings of this study indicate that, in the case of the Balearic Islands, generic competences are relevant for most organisations and that tourism graduates meet the expectations of the employer, although at a lower level than desired.