An Overview Of The Existing Gap Between The University Educational Offer Focused On Entrepreneurship And The Maritime Cruise Industry EVIDENCE FROM ROMANIA

Abstract

In this paper, the authors describe the existing situation in the city of Constanta, the largest port city in Romania, from the point of view of the existing discrepancy between the educational offer that encourages entrepreneurship and the maritime tourism industry situation. To reach this goal, the authors first began to analyze the statistical reports regarding the situation of the ships that dock in the port of Constanta. Second, the authors conducted a research on the university educational offer in Constanta. The results showed that out of a total number of 22 faculties, each with at least 2 specializations, only 4 specializations are focused on business management or administration, the others being common specializations that can be found in the rest of the cities in the country. After analyzing the university educational offer and determining the directions for the training of professional skills within the analyzed faculties, the authors presented as a case study the Alezzi Yacht, which offers cruise services only during the summer in the maritime sector on the shores of the Black Sea. In this regard, qualitative research was conducted. Based on the results obtained and the directions suggested by the customer feedback on Alezzi Yacht, the authors highlighted the aspects of the cruise services that must be offered by the personnel working in the cruise tourism industry. Also, the authors highlighted the existing discrepancy between the skills and specializations of the personnel needed in cruise services according to the analysis of customer feedback on Alezzi Yacht, and the specializations offered by the Romanian educational environment to support the development of entrepreneurial initiatives in this directive.