This study investigates how the Five Ways of Life (FWL) framework can be integrated into tourism talent development and proposes an expanded Seven Ways of Life (SWL) model by adding technological literacy and sustainability education. While prior research has addressed tourism education and skills broadly, limited attention has been given to applying FWL as a structured paradigm for holistic talent cultivation. To address this gap, a phenomenographic methodology was employed to capture diverse perspectives from both scholars and industry experts. Findings indicate that embedding moral, intellectual, physical, collective, and aesthetic education, alongside technological and sustainability competencies, offers a comprehensive approach to bridging the gap between academic curricula and industry needs. The study contributes to theory by conceptualizing the evolution from FWL to SWL and provides practical insights by outlining strategies for curriculum reform and stronger industry-academia collaboration. Limitations and future research directions are discussed to guide the refinement and broader application of the SWL framework.
Y.M. Chang (Thu,) studied this question.