Hospitality’s ‘Earn & Learn’ degree a pathway to tourism careers

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence skills are vital for the 270,000 people working in Ireland's hospitality sector

SETU students Caitlin Cleary and Zeteny Kovacs; Jacinta Greene Beatty, lecturer and programme leader, SETU; Cyril Mc Aree, managing editor, Hotel and Restaurant Times; Eammon Dowling, SETU student; Dr Don O'Neill, former head of the Department of Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism, SETU (now vice-president for global partnerships).

Hospitality and tourism support more than 270,000 livelihoods across Ireland and continue to evolve as visitor expectations shift towards authentic, local experiences.

While digital technologies and artificial intelligence are changing how businesses operate, the industry continues to rely on highly skilled people who can deliver exceptional customer experiences and strong leadership.