TOURISM TRAINING : MEXICAN NEEDS/US RESOURCES; FINAL REPORT

This paper presents the final report of a study conducted to assess training needs, determine the U.S. capacity to assist, and develop a time-phased plan of options to redress the manpower shortages. The study was based on 59 formal interviews with Mexican Government, industry, and school personnel and on responses from 87 U.S. universities which provide training in tourism-related areas. The following Mexican problems were identified: (1) at least 100,000 new employees are needed, 660 of whom should be teachers; (2) too many managers are being trained, while training opportunities for mid- and lower-level staff are very few; (3) hotel management problems are motivational in nature and therefore not subject to improvement by training; and (4) new facilities are needed, especially at basic and middle levels. The next section analyzes U.S. educational resources and provides key information about U.S. programs in the study of hotel and restaurant management, transportation, and travel. A major conclusion is that U.S. resources and experience are more than adequate to meet Mexico"s assessed needs. The authors then present a plan to apply U.S. resources to Mexico"s tourism training needs. Major aspects of the plan are that the training be local, short-term, and inservice whenever possible; be provided to students preparing for future employment; and be oriented to the acquisition of particular skills. Emphasis is placed on curriculum development, teacher training and exchanges, computerization, and English-language training. The report concludes with a list of ten recommendations in the areas of harnessing U.S. resources to Mexican needs; implementation of the 1978 U.S.-Mexico Tourism Agreement; and implications for tourism training in LDC"s. A 7-item list of references (1978-80) and appendices on questionnaires used, descriptions of Mexican training institutes, training needs as perceived by the industry, and two model manpower development projects (Nigeria and University of Guadalajara, Mexico) conclude the report.