The tourism industry (including hospitality and leisure) in Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare employs over 40,000 people and generates £1.4 billion for the local economy each year.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the uk, with 1 in 5 of all new jobs being created within this sector. Local employment in the industry will grow by an estimated 9,000 jobs between 2000 and 2010.
Background of the Tourism Skills Network West of England
Throughout the mid to late nineties, the tourism industry in the West of England was becoming increasingly aware that while it enjoyed economic prosperity, its competitiveness was in danger of being affected as a result of critical skills shortages and recruitment difficulties throughout the area.
There was a real need to develop strategies to respond to these skills issues
In response the Tourism Task Force (now Tourism Skills Network West of England) was set up in 1999, by Bristol Tourism and Conference Bureau (now Destination Bristol) and WESTEC (now West of England Leaning and Skills Council) along with local employers, in order to deliver practical responses to tackle the shortage of skilled personnel in the tourism industry in the West of England area. The Tourism Skills Network West of England is a business unit of Destination Bristol.
The tourism industry (including hospitality and leisure) in Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare employs over 40,000 people and generates £1.4 billion for the local economy each year.
