An evaluation of professional development opportunities in the hospitality sector

Abstract

Professional growth and leadership are critical components of a thriving industry. This is especially important in the leisure and events industries, which rely significantly on people skills to succeed. In such a competitive environment, the value of qualified staff across the board cannot be overstated. This study evaluates opportunities of professional development, with a focus on leadership abilities in 5-Star hotels in Malta. This advancement will focus on managerial individuals as well as their team members. The researcher will investigate the different styles of leadership, motivation, performance appraisal, professional growth, training, and development. The question of how professional development is treated in the hospitality industry is the main topic of this research. A set of semi-structured interviews were conducted to provide insights on the subject. The results obtained showed that while directors showed certain characteristics of transformational leadership, these leadership traits need to be further developed. It was found that training and professional growth are still lacking in these hotels and are not engrained in their culture. Interestingly, the interviews took place during a pandemic, and it was fascinating to witness how leaders react in a crisis. This research does not claim to be a detailed examination of study, but it does raise interesting points that would necessitate extensive research to reach appropriate conclusions. This may assist hoteliers in this industry in adopting the correct mindset with regards to leadership and professional development.