The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a landmark report revealing that the Travel & Tourism sector is on course to support one in three new jobs worldwide by 2035. However, the “Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce’ report warns that demographic and structural shifts could create a workforce shortfall of more than 43 million people if left unaddressed.
Unveiled at the global tourism body’s 25th Global Summit in Rome Tuesday, the forecast is based extensive global research across 20 economies and includes a large-scale survey of business leaders and in-depth interviews with WTTC Members and other key stakeholders.
It not only highlights how the sector has rebounded as a global engine for job creation, but also how structural shifts, including shrinking working-age populations relative to economic growth, will further impact the Travel & Tourism sector, which is set to grow considerably faster than the economy.
Unmatched opportunity
In 2024, the sector supported a record 357 million jobs worldwide and is forecast to support 371 million jobs this year. Over the next decade, Travel & Tourism is projected to generate 91 million new roles, accounting for one in every three net new jobs created globally.
By 2035, global demand for workers in Travel & Tourism will outpace supply by more than 43 million people, leaving labour availability 16% below required levels.
According to the report, the hospitality industry faces an expected gap of 8.6 million workers, around 18% below the staffing levels needed.
Low-skilled roles, which remain critical to the sector, will remain the most sought after, with a need of more than 20 million additional workers projected. Positions which rely heavily on human interaction, and services that cannot be easily automated, will remain in high demand.
The report highlights that the labour challenge will affect all the 20 major economies analyzed for the report, with the largest absolute shortfalls forecast in China (16.9MN), India (11MN), and the European Union (6.4MN).
In relative terms, the Japan Travel & Tourism sector will see its workforce supply projected to sit at 29% below 2035 levels of demand, followed by Greece (-27%) and Germany (-26%).
Yet, despite these challenges, Travel & Tourism remains a powerhouse for job creation.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim CEO, said “Travel & Tourism is set to remain one of the world’s biggest job creators, offering opportunities for millions of people worldwide. But we must also recognize that wider demographic and structural changes are reshaping labour markets everywhere.
“Many workers left the sector during COVID when Travel & Tourism came to a standstill. Now, as global unemployment is expected to fall and working age populations to shrink, this is creating an increased pressure on labour supply, especially for fast growing sectors like Travel & Tourism.
“This report is a call to action. By working together with governments and educators, our sector will meet these challenges and continue to be one of the most rewarding sectors, offering dynamic futures for the next generations.”
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