SOFT SKILLS AS A COMPONENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF FUTURE TOURISM SPECIALISTS

Abstract

The relevance of the study is determined by the growing demands of the modern labor market forthe professional training of future tourism specialists under the conditions of globalization processes,digitalization, and transformation of the tourism industry. Particular importance is attached to soft skills asan essential component of professional competence that ensures the ability of future specialists to interacteffectively in the professional environment, work in a team, adapt to professional changes, and effectivelycarry out intercultural communication. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to investigate the role of softskills in the structure of professional competence of future tourism specialists and to substantiate theirsignificance in the process of professional training. Research methods. The study employed the analysisand generalization of scientific sources, analysis of educational programs, comparison of internationalexperience in professional training, as well as analysis of current labor market requirements in the tourismsector. Results. The study substantiates the significance of communicative, organizational, intercultural, and personal skills in the professional training of tourism specialists. The requirements of the modernlabor market and vacancies of tourism companies such as «Join UP!», «Anex Tour», and «Poikhaly znamy» were analyzed, which made it possible to identify the most demanded soft skills in the moderntourism industry. It was established that the professional competitiveness of a specialist largely dependson the level of development of communicative abilities, adaptability, emotional stability, responsibility,and teamwork skills. Particular attention was paid to the international experience of professional trainingat EHL Hospitality Business School and the peculiarities of dual education in Germany. Conclusions.The modern system of professional training of future tourism specialists requires the combination of hardskills with the systematic development of soft skills, as well as the implementation of practice-orientedlearning, internship-based training, and interactive teaching methods in higher education institutionsof Ukraine.