On 18 November 2025, the National Entity for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education (NEAQA) organized the roundtable “Tourism and Hospitality 2030: Knowledge and Skills Required by the Labour Market” at the Palace of Serbia. Prof. Nebojša Zdravković, PhD, Director of NEAQA, emphasized that Serbia must rapidly modernize study programs in tourism, hospitality, and hotel management to meet labor market needs and address challenges posed by global trends and the upcoming EXPO 2027. The event brought together representatives from state institutions, higher education, professional associations, tourism organizations, as well as management from leading hotels and companies in the sector. According to Prof. Zdravković, PhD, the goal of the event was to open a broad dialogue on the knowledge and skills employers expect from future professionals. He highlighted that the tourism and hospitality sector is changing faster than ever, influenced by digitalization, new types of tourism, shifting guest expectations, and global projects affecting Serbia. Continuous review of study program structures and strengthening cooperation between industry and higher education are therefore essential. A particular focus was placed on practical training, noting that high-quality professionals cannot be developed without sufficient experience in real work environments. Employers are considered the most relevant source of information on graduates’ competencies, and the proposals received will be used to shape new practice models. The roundtable also marked an important step in aligning NEAQA’s work with ENQA and ESG recommendations, which call for stronger involvement of industry and students in quality assurance processes. Danilo Jerinić, Director of EXPO 2027, highlighted that over a million tourists are expected during the 93 days of EXPO 2027, emphasizing the critical role of education in preparing a workforce ready to meet labor market demands and ensuring Serbia fulfills its role as a welcoming host. The outcomes of the discussion will inform proposals to revise accreditation standards ensuring NEAQA continues to act as a partner to industry, students, and higher education institutions, actively contributing to the improvement of study programs and graduate employability.
