Labour market and skills needs of the tourism and related sectors in Wales

This paper assesses labour market and skills needs of tourism and related sectors in Wales to inform policy responses by government and Sector Skills Councils. Micro‐businesses, many lifestyle businesses not appreciating the links between skills, training and competitiveness, and typically not undertaking training, dominate Welsh tourism. Sectoral fragmentation challenges the development of a coherent employer perspective. Official statistics provide incomplete, inaccurate information. Employer interviews identify skills gaps and persistent recruitment difficulties with responses including downsizing, deskilling and overseas recruitment. Public sector interventions may better target employer demand for skills and training to support a destination‐level service quality strategy than training supply. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.