Tourism - a force for good and a career of choice

Of all the challenges that the tourism and hospitality industry has faced in recent years, staffing and recruitment continues to be cited by businesses as one of the biggest barriers to recovery. The effects of the pandemic having compounded what has, in truth, been a sector that has suffered from something of an image problem for years.

It was heartening to read in the last couple of weeks therefore that the latest ONS figures pointed to a record number of people moving into work in the second half of last year – driven by an increase in those in the 16-24 and 50+ age groups. Perhaps a corner has been turned…

That same week, I had the pleasure of working with the language department at Milne’s High School in Fochabers on a project that tasked their students with producing a promotional film to attract French-speaking visitors to Scotland. It was great to see the talent on show across all the students’ work and the obvious enthusiasm for our incredible tourism offer in this country. I certainly took it as a welcome reminder of just how incredible our tourism industry is – and the world of opportunity that awaits for anyone wishing to forge their career in it. Huge congratulations again to Arwyn and Erin for their winning film.

It got me thinking about some of the other industry-leading initiatives that are underway to encourage more young people into our incredible sector – despite the current headwinds it’s facing. The pioneering work of Developing the Young Workforce North East is a great example of this – in particular, their partnership with the Aberdeen City & Shire Hoteliers Association and the development of a hospitality sector schools programme for the region. Similarly, Hospitality Apprenticeship North East is another industry-leading programme that is working hard to attract and retain vibrant talent into the industry. With this week marking Scottish Apprenticeship Week (6-10 March), it’s a timely reminder of the huge value of apprenticeships and the opportunity to help unlock potential in both people and businesses.

Here at VisitScotland, we continue to invest in developing young talent and are proud to have been recognised with an Investors in Young People Gold Award. Whether through our own modern apprenticeships, graduate scheme, work placements or internships, we can provide exposure to the day to day operation of a national tourism body whilst benefiting from the energy, fresh thinking and new perspectives that young people bring to the organisation. Even at a local level here in Aberdeen, our own iCentre team contribute to this ethos and continue to proactively engage with local schools and regularly attend and engage with students at University events. 

On a personal level, as a long-standing member of the Tourism Management Institute, the professional body for those working in tourism and destination management, I was only too pleased to recently become a regional representative on their National Council to support their work with Scotland’s higher education providers and commitment to encouraging and supporting the tourism destination managers of tomorrow. Tourism is, after all, a force for good. It benefits our economy, our community and our wellbeing. And it not only creates jobs - but also careers that are both skilled and incredibly rewarding.  

More than 20 years on from graduating with my own tourism degree and a career that has taken me the length and breadth of Britain and around the world, would I still follow a career in tourism if I were given the choice again? Absolutely.