Table 3 Ranking and differences found...

Table 3

Ranking and differences found between the current soft skills most pointed out by companies in the tourism sector (Italy and Spain)

	Italy			Spain
Actual skills	Media	General ranking	Ranking by category	Media	General ranking	Ranking by category	Difference
Personal
Problem solving	3.86	14	8	3.74	11	7	0.12
Initiative and commitment	4.08	5	5	3.81	7	5	0.27**
Customer orientation	4.17	3	3	4.14	1	1	0.03
Ethic conducts and respect	4.31	1	1	4.07	2	2	0.24**
Willingness to change	4.01	9	7	3.81	7	5	0.20*
Promoting a positive work environment	4.11	4	4	3.96	3	3	0.15*
Creativity	4.03	8	6	3.68	12	8	0.35***
Willingness to learn	4.19	2	2	3.91	4	4	0.28*
Communication and cultural
Written communication	3.94	12	5	3.77	9	2	0.17*
Oral communication	4.05	7	2	3.76	10	3	0.29***
Active listening	4.00	10	3	3.55	16	7	0.45***
Cultural awareness and expression	3.76	16	6	3.49	17	6	0.27**
Awareness of local customs	4.06	6	1	3.65	14	5	0.41***
Ability to speak foreign languages	3.52	19	7	3.67	13	4	−0.15
Intercultural host-guest understanding and respect	3.96	11	4	3.87	5	1	0.09
Diversity
Gender equality	3.87	13	1	3.84	6	1	0.03
Age-related accessibility	3.82	15	2	3.63	15	2	0.19*
Diets and allergy need	3.64	18	4	3.46	18	3	0.18
Disabilities and appropriate infrastructures	3.76	16	3	3.27	20	5	0.49***
Diversity in religious beliefs	3.51	20	5	3.35	19	4	0.16

	Italy			Spain
Actual skills	Media	General ranking	Ranking by category	Media	General ranking	Ranking by category	Difference
Personal
Problem solving	3.86	14	8	3.74	11	7	0.12
Initiative and commitment	4.08	5	5	3.81	7	5	0.27**
Customer orientation	4.17	3	3	4.14	1	1	0.03
Ethic conducts and respect	4.31	1	1	4.07	2	2	0.24**
Willingness to change	4.01	9	7	3.81	7	5	0.20*
Promoting a positive work environment	4.11	4	4	3.96	3	3	0.15*
Creativity	4.03	8	6	3.68	12	8	0.35***
Willingness to learn	4.19	2	2	3.91	4	4	0.28*
Communication and cultural
Written communication	3.94	12	5	3.77	9	2	0.17*
Oral communication	4.05	7	2	3.76	10	3	0.29***
Active listening	4.00	10	3	3.55	16	7	0.45***
Cultural awareness and expression	3.76	16	6	3.49	17	6	0.27**
Awareness of local customs	4.06	6	1	3.65	14	5	0.41***
Ability to speak foreign languages	3.52	19	7	3.67	13	4	−0.15
Intercultural host-guest understanding and respect	3.96	11	4	3.87	5	1	0.09
Diversity
Gender equality	3.87	13	1	3.84	6	1	0.03
Age-related accessibility	3.82	15	2	3.63	15	2	0.19*
Diets and allergy need	3.64	18	4	3.46	18	3	0.18
Disabilities and appropriate infrastructures	3.76	16	3	3.27	20	5	0.49***
Diversity in religious beliefs	3.51	20	5	3.35	19	4	0.16

Note(s): ***p < 0.001; **p < 0.010; *p < 0.5; $┼$ < 0.10

Source(s): Authors' own elaboration

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