SKILLS MISMATCH IN THE TOURISM LABOUR MARKET: TYPES, MEASUREMENT AND CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

The paper examines skills mismatch in the tourism labour market. Four types of mismatch are distinguished − vertical, horizontal, skill gap and skill shortage − and it is shown that each requires a different policy response, so that aggregate treatment of the problem leads to ineffective measures. Comparative assessment across five tourism segments reveals that horizontal mismatch exceeds vertical mismatch in every segment, with the widest gap in food service. The economic consequences of mismatch are decomposed into three channels: reduced labour productivity, increased training expenditure and elevated staff turnover. Measures addressing each type of mismatch are substantiated.