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The Imperative to Address Sustainability Skills Gaps in Tourism in Wales

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  • Sheena Carlisle

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK)

  • Karam Zaki

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK
    Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt
    College of Science & Humanities, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11911, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohamed Ahmed

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK
    Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt)

  • Louise Dixey

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK)

  • Emmet McLoughlin

    (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK)

Abstract

Tourism is fundamental to the economy of Wales, and the government tourism plan 2020–2025 centres on sustainable development. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of research undertaken by the Next Tourism Generation Alliance (NTGA) project in Wales evidencing sustainability skills gaps. Survey data collected from five tourism sectors, accommodation, food and beverage, destination management, visitor attractions, travel agents and tour operators, show that the highest green and social skills gaps were identified in food and beverage businesses, whilst accommodation reported the lowest skills gaps. The effect of the type of tourism sector, business size and job level on green skills gaps perceptions was found to be insignificant, which indicates that training in sustainability skills is considered important regardless of these variables. The effect of type of tourism activity on perceptions of social skills gaps including personal and communication was significant. Addressing skills gaps is crucial given the significance of the industry in the national economy and the need for recovery from COVID-19. Tourism is one of the worst affected industries in the pandemic, and global market research and policy guidance highlight the importance of sustainable tourism development to ensure a resilient recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheena Carlisle & Karam Zaki & Mohamed Ahmed & Louise Dixey & Emmet McLoughlin, 2021. "The Imperative to Address Sustainability Skills Gaps in Tourism in Wales," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1161-:d:485369
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Aleksander Panasiuk, 2021. "Marketing Orientation of Entities on the Tourism Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Wagih Salama & Mohamed Nor El Deen & Azzam Albakhit & Karam Zaki, 2022. "Understanding the Connection between Sustainable Human Resource Management and the Hotel Business Outcomes: Evidence from the Green-Certified Hotels of Egypt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-22, May.
    4. Alex Danso & Francisca Osafo-Mensah Yeboah, 2023. "The Relationship Between Body Shaming and Female Political Participation in Ghana: A Case Study of Female Students at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(7), pages 31-45, July.
    5. Meiai Chen & Tingting Pei & Eila Jeronen & Zhihui Wang & Lihua Xu, 2022. "Teaching and Learning Methods for Promoting Sustainability in Tourism Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-20, November.
    6. Xiaoyan Liang & Xiwei Zhang & Renee Paulet & Leven Jianwen Zheng, 2022. "A Literature Review of the COVID-19 Pandemic’s Effect on Sustainable HRM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-26, February.

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