No attraction in strategic thinking: perceptions on current and future skills needs for visitor attraction managers

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents the findings from an exploratory study into managerial skill requirements in the Scottish visitor attraction sector. It provides an insight into the range, diversity and perceived importance of current and future skills. The main findings highlight a focus on operation skills, with ‘soft’ people skills also seen as being important in the future. However, less emphasis was given to strategic skills, either now or in the future. Given the intensely competitive environment for visitor attractions, this finding is rather concerning as strategic thinking has been presented in the literature and by tourism experts as essential to maintain commercial viability. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.