Discourse about workforce development in tourism – an analysis of public policy, planning and implementation in Australia and Scotland: hot air or making a difference?

This paper addresses the contribution of the policy formulation process in driving agendas relating to workforce development in the tourism sectors of Australia and Scotland. This discussion represents an exploratory study that seeks to fill a clear conceptual and empirical gap in the extant literature. The discussion is located within wider consideration of the role of public and private sector stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation as a manifestation of active labour market policy engagement. Using a process of systematic documentary analysis, the study considers public policy reports and implementation strategies published in Australia (24) and Scotland (34) between 2000 and 2012 and focuses on the role of key actors, methodologies employed and the recommendations that arise within each report. Conclusions relating to the process of stakeholder engagement and its relative ineffectiveness are drawn.