The tourism and hospitality sector is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer with 254,000 people working in tourism and hospitality businesses. The sector provides wealth and employment across all parts of Ireland, with 40,000 businesses, primarily SMEs. Similarly, retail jobs are evenly spread across cities and towns in Ireland, employing over 300,000 people nationwide.

Both these sectors are navigating the many economic challenges of the recent past, including Brexit and COVID-19, but also preparing for the uncertain future ahead. Innovation, sustainability, and digitalisation have emerged as key drivers to enhance competitiveness and meet changing consumer preferences in the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors.

Technology continues to reshape these industries and consumer behaviour is undergoing significant transformations. Service industries must equip their workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to continue offering excellence. To remain competitive, they require employees who possess not only traditional service skills but also proficiency in technology, data analysis, and customer experience management.

 

Partnering with the Enterprise Academy

The Enterprise Academy collaborates with companies across these sectors to help nurture a skilled workforce prepared for the emerging complexities of modern retail and services. We build flexible, scalable, accredited solutions to address the skills gaps in areas including e-commerce, data analytics, artificial intelligence, circularity and sustainable tourism, to ensure employees have access to continuous learning opportunities that align with the evolving needs of the tourism, hospitality and retail industries.    

 

Dr. Dee Duffy is Senior Engagement Manager for the Retail, Tourism and Hospitality Sectors. Reach out to Dr. Duffy by email: Dee.Duffy@tudublin.ie