Labour shortages remain an ongoing problem as the tourism sector continues to regrow and reshape itself in the wake of the disruptive COVID-19 pandemic. Many workers left the sector for other opportunities, and a renewed public interest in travel and tourism is placing increased pressures on an already exhausted and stressed workforce.

This short discussion paper examines some of the barriers to employment and skills-related issues facing tourism businesses, and offers some suggestions for how owners and managers can creatively approach the problem within their own operations.