RESEARCH carried out by the North West Tourist Board has revealed that up to half of the hotels in the region are experiencing recruitment problems.

Around a third currently have vacancies and a further 20 per cent have skills gaps within their workforces.

It is estimated that the sector will require up to 25,200 new staff by 2004. Key job areas likely to face major shortfalls include all areas of catering and hotels -- particularly at managerial level.

The biggest training day of its type for the North-west tourism Industry is being held in Bolton tomorrow.

Interchange, which has been designed especially for the tourism and leisure business, is being led by the North West Tourist Board and Cumbria Tourist Board at the Reebok Stadium.

The event will focus on the recruitment, training and retention of staff.

Jean Llewellyn, regional manager of the North West Skills Network, said: "The day is designed to help companies, both large and small, increase their profitability by improving staff-cost efficiency." RESEARCH carried out by the North West Tourist Board has revealed that up to half of the hotels in the region are experiencing recruitment problems.

Around a third currently have vacancies and a further 20 per cent have skills gaps within their workforces.

It is estimated that the sector will require up to 25,200 new staff by 2004.

Key job areas likely to face major shortfalls include all areas of catering and hotels -- particularly at managerial level.

The biggest training day of its type for the North-west tourism Industry is being held in Bolton tomorrow.

Training

Interchange, which has been designed especially for the tourism and leisure business, is being led by the North West Tourist Board and Cumbria Tourist Board at the Reebok Stadium.

The event will focus on the recruitment, training and retention of staff.

Jean Llewellyn, regional manager of the North West Skills Network, said: "The day is designed to help companies, both large and small, increase their profitability by improving staff-cost efficiency."