Marketing Research – Tool within the Leonardo da Vinci Program

Within the Leonardo da Vinci Program, phase II(EAC/11/04)-2006- the first priority pilot project “Development of new measures and tools that describe, promote and compare standards and qualifications at a European, national and divisional level”, there has been developed the New Hospitality Project (European Works without Borders). The project has run between October 2006 and October 2008 and has gathered partners from various countries. The accomplishment of research activities has contributed to the identification of methodologies and instruments of description, comparison and promotion of qualifications and competences within the hospitality industry, supporting transparency, recognition and transferability for developing employment opportunities and increasing sector’s competitiveness in the European related area. Desk research aimed towards the study and the analysis of demand and supply in the hospitality domain, the employees’ position in the hotel sector and the utilized competences and abilities certification systems. ). Desk research was completed by the development of a report made by each partner while the project coordinator has collected contributions of all partners and compared the results. Field research is based on desk research due to the fact that during this stage the common elements that appear (as well as the characteristics of hospitality structures and professional qualifications), are main indicators for both the construction of the sample and for the utilized tools content. The entire research done within the New Hospitality project has created an important database of information concerning minimum criteria for competency necessary in the hospitality industry.