Education, jobs and the political economy of tourism: expectations and realities in the case of Tasmania

Tourism promises to be the panacea for many economic and social inequalities, particularly in regional areas. Tasmania, Australia, is one of those places. Combined with aspirations for higher levels of educational attainment and a prospering tourism industry, optimism is evident on the island. However, while tourism is growing its economic contribution, the workforce is dominated by low-skilled, low-pay occupations. The promises of economic prosperity, better jobs and social equality through a better educated workforce and a growing tourism sector are challenged; tourism may be exacerbating social inequalities. This paper analyses the political economy of tourism in Tasmania by addressing two issues. The first is the economic and social expectations attached to tourism. The second is the existence of job polarisation. This discussion outlines the contradictions for tourism: 1) how jobs and workers’ education and are mismatched, 2) the economic status of workers, and 3) how benefits are distributed in society.