The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) presented a landmark report on the global travel and tourism workforce earlier today, 30th September, at the 25th WTTC Global Summit in Rome, Italy.
The report reveals that, while the sector is on course to support one in three new jobs worldwide by 2035, demographic and structural shifts could create a workforce shortfall of more than 43 million people if left unaddressed.
Titled Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce, the report focused on findings from 20 economies,including a large-scale survey of business leaders and in-depth interviews with WTTC Members and other key stakeholders.
That said, 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.
The report is a collaborative effort between the WTTC, the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Coraggio Group, Miles Partnership, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Current status and projections
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.
However, by 2035, global demand for workers in Travel & Tourism will outpace supply by more than 43 million people, leaving labour availability 16 percent below required levels.
As the report points out, the hospitality industry faces an expected gap of 8.6 million workers, around 18 percent 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 analysed for the report, with the largest absolute shortfalls forecast in China, India, and the European Union.
In relative terms, the Japan Travel & Tourism sector will see its workforce supply projected to sit at 29 percent below 2035 levels of demand, followed by Greece and Germany.
A powerhouse nevertheless
Yet, despite these challenges, Travel & Tourism remains a powerhouse for job creation.
As WTTC interim chief executive Gloria Guevara puts it: “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 recognise 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 shrink, this is creating an increased pressure on labour supply, especially for fast growing sectors like Travel & Tourism.”
Guevara referred to the report as a call to action for governments and educators who are responsible for ensuring that their citizens are ready to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving industry.
She concluded by saying: “Our sector will meet these challenges and continue to be one of the most rewarding sectors, offering dynamic futures for the next generations. WTTC will work with government officials around the world to ensure policies are implemented to reduce this gap and unlock the potential in their countries.”
Where visions may go
For Saudi Arabian tourism minister Ahmed Al Khateeb, his nation is a relevant case study worth emulating in terms of the shifting trends in tourism-centric human resources.
Khateeb said: “By 2035, one in three new jobs will come from Travel & Tourism; no other sector can claim that. Saudi Arabia shows what vision and investment can achieve, with over 649,000 training opportunities, and a workforce that is nearly 50% women.”
For her part, Coraggio Group managing partner Sara Meaney opined: "This report offers us all so much more than quotable datapoints; it serves as an invitation to rethink how we attract, grow, and keep talent in an ever-changing environment. It will require investment and intention to design jobs that inspire, support careers that evolve, and invest in workplaces that reflect the values of today’s workforce. This is our chance to redefine what it means to work in Travel & Tourism.”
How to build a future-ready workforce
Aside from relevant findings, the report also explains how the industry, governments, and educators could turn pressing challenges into opportunities.
Among the measures proposed are:
- Inspire more young people by highlighting the diversity and excitement of career opportunities in Travel & Tourism
- Strengthen collaboration and alignment between educators and industry in order for training to meet employers’ needs and give students real-world experiences
- Boost retention with leadership development programmes, clear internal promotion pathways, and inclusive workplace cultures
- Invest in digital literacy, AI adoption, and sustainable practices to prepare workers for the future and to boost productivity
- Incorporate flexible policies to manage fluctuating workforce demand, including reducing barriers to recruiting from abroad and combining part-time roles into full-time jobs
Keeping all of these in mind, addressing the workforce challenge will require close alignment between governments, stakeholders, and education providers.
With proactive planning and investment, Travel & Tourism can continue to deliver prosperity, innovation, and opportunity for communities around the world.
