The Travel and Tourism sector is witnessing substantial growth, emerging as one of the world's fastest employment providers. In 2024, this sector supported a record 357 million jobs, and by 2025, it is estimated to reach 371 million. The report highlights that in the upcoming decade, one out of every three new jobs will be related to tourism and travel. However, there is significant concern that by 2035, this sector might face a shortfall of over 43 million employees.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) released this report at its 25th global summit in Rome. The report titled "The Future of Work in Travel and Tourism" warns clearly about the growth in job opportunities but also indicates a deepening worker shortage. If proper measures aren't implemented in time, there could be a 16% employee shortfall by 2035.
According to the report, while this sector will create 91 million new jobs by 2035, a worker shortage might leave as many as 43 million positions unfilled. This indicates that while tourism is set to be a major employment hub, the demand for labor and staff will substantially outweigh supply.
The hospitality sector will bear the brunt of this gap. This alone will see a shortage of 8.6 million workers, equating to 18% of its total need. More workers in hotels, resorts, and restaurants will be in demand, a need that technology cannot fully replace.
This suggests forthcoming challenges for the travel and tourism sector. Among the 20 countries examined, China, India, and the European Union are expected to be most affected, with China potentially seeing a shortfall of 16.9 million, India 11 million, and the European Union 6.4 million workers. Meanwhile, Japan faces the most severe availability crisis, with a potential 29% shortfall. Moreover, Greece and Germany are anticipated to face significant challenges, with a 27% and 26% shortfall, respectively. This underscores a growing disparity between job demand and availability in the coming years.
Despite these challenges, travel and tourism remain at the forefront of economic growth and employment potential. According to interim WTTC CEO Gloria Guevara, the sector will employ millions, necessitating new strategies to keep pace with evolving circumstances. Governments, industry leaders, and educational institutions must collaborate to find solutions.
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb, remarked that by 2035, every third new job will come from travel and tourism, a claim no other sector can make. He shared that his country has already created over 649,000 training opportunities, with nearly 50% being women, illustrating how foresight and investment can drive change.
Tackling this crisis requires multi-pronged efforts. Motivating young people to pursue careers in tourism is crucial to bridging the gap. Training programs need alignment with industry needs. Additionally, investing in digital skills, artificial intelligence, and sustainable practices will cater to future demands. Streamlining recruitment and ensuring long-term employee retention is also pivotal. The recent summit in Rome emphasized that in the years ahead, tourism will transcend mere travel needs, forming the foundation for millions of careers and global economic stability.
