Skills shortage will not go away, says Prosser

The travel and tourism industry will still face a skills shortage in the long term, despite the economic downturn in the wake of the US terror attacks, Sir Ian Prosser, chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council has predicted.

Demand for well-qualified people will stay strong and eventually outstrip supply, suggested Sir Ian, chairman of Six Continents, as he opened the Hospitality Careers Fair in London, part of this year's Springboard Careers' Festival.

Council research showed travel and tourism probably generated more jobs than any other industry, with more than 200 million jobs this year dependent on it, he added.

Tourism had a vital role to play in generating jobs across the economy, sustaining not only hotels and restaurants, but supplier companies in manufacturing, agriculture, transport and elsewhere.

"This is an industry with the potential to develop an international career with great travel opportunities, and I believe it has greater potential than many other sectors," he said.

"Tourism is a global business, and so long as mankind retains a healthy curiosity to explore the planet, it will always have a great future and an important civilising role to play in our society."

by Nic Paton