To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 18488/22-27, for an update on the delivery of a bespoke skills action plan for the tourism industry.

This will be taken forward by a Tourism Skills Delivery Group which is being established as a sub group of the Skills Council, the advisory body which provides strategic advice on issues pertaining to the development and implementation of skills policy. The Terms of Reference and proposed membership of that Group are currently being agreed and it is planned to hold its inaugural meeting in early summer. The Group will take forward three phases of work:

Phase 1: Identify needs of tourism sector and research;

Phase 2: Skills Gap Analysis and Quantification;

Phase 3: Implementation / Delivery

Updates on the work of the Group will also be provided to the Tourism Partnership Board who will meet twice a year to monitor and advise on implementation of the Tourism Vision and Action Plan.