The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report highlights a potential workforce shortfall of over 43 million in the travel and tourism sector by 2035, urging immediate workforce planning.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a comprehensive report titled “Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce,” which underscores the sector’s potential to support 91 million new jobs by 2035. However, the report also warns of a significant workforce shortfall of over 43 million if current trends continue without intervention. This report was unveiled at the WTTC’s 25th Global Summit in Rome, with contributions from the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Coraggio Group, Miles Partnership, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Current and Projected Job Growth
As of 2024, the travel and tourism sector supported a record 357 million jobs globally, with projections to reach 371 million by the end of the year. Over the next decade, the sector is expected to generate 91 million new roles, accounting for one in every three net new jobs worldwide. Despite this growth, the report highlights a looming labor shortage, with global demand for workers in travel and tourism expected to exceed supply by more than 43 million by 2035.
Challenges in Workforce Supply
The report identifies significant labor shortfalls in major economies, with China, India, and the European Union facing the largest absolute gaps. Specifically, China is projected to have a shortfall of 16.9 million workers, India 11 million, and the European Union 6.4 million. In relative terms, Japan’s travel and tourism sector is expected to experience a workforce supply 29% below demand, followed by Greece and Germany, with shortages of 27% and 26%, respectively.
Sector-Specific Labor Needs
The hospitality industry is expected to face a gap of 8.6 million workers, approximately 18% below the required staffing levels. Low-skilled roles, which are crucial to the sector, will remain in high demand, with a need for more than 20 million additional workers. Positions that require human interaction and cannot be easily automated will continue to be sought after.
Call to Action
Gloria Guevara, Interim CEO of WTTC, emphasized the need for urgent action to address these challenges. She noted that the sector must adapt to demographic and structural changes affecting labor markets globally. Guevara called for collaboration among governments, educators, and industry to ensure that policies are in place to bridge the workforce gap and unlock potential in various countries.
Strategies for Building a Future-Ready Workforce
The report outlines several strategies to address the workforce challenges:
– Inspire young people by showcasing diverse career opportunities in travel and tourism.
– Strengthen collaboration between educators and the industry to align training with employer needs.
– Enhance retention through leadership development, clear promotion pathways, and inclusive workplace cultures.
– Invest in digital literacy, AI adoption, and sustainable practices to prepare workers for future demands.
– Implement flexible policies to manage workforce demand, including reducing barriers to international recruitment and combining part-time roles into full-time positions.
Collaboration and Investment
Addressing the workforce challenge requires close collaboration between governments, stakeholders, and educational institutions. With proactive planning and investment, the travel and tourism sector can continue to drive global prosperity and innovation. The WTTC’s Global Summit, hosted in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism and other key stakeholders, underscores the importance of collective efforts in tackling these challenges.
Conclusion
The WTTC report serves as a crucial call to action for the travel and tourism sector. By addressing workforce challenges through strategic planning and collaboration, the sector can continue to be a significant driver of global job creation and economic growth.
Download the Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce report.
