WTTC: 130,000 unfilled tourism vacancies threaten UK recovery
The World Travel & Tourism Council has warned again that the travel sector’s recovery is at serious risk with nearly 130,000 jobs unfilled across the UK.
The UK is expected to see a shortfall of 128,000 jobs, with one in 14 job openings expected to remain vacant.
Restaurants and hotels are struggling to find staff but the UK government are refusing to allow temporary overseas workers.
The UK’s hotel, entertainment, and aviation industries are forecast to be the worst affected, facing unfulfilled vacancies of 18% ,12% and 11% respectively.
Critical staff shortages are now acute across the aviation industry.
Before the pandemic in 2019, 1.8 million people were employed in travel & tourism but by 2020 over 200,000 had lost their jobs*
“The UK recovery is at risk. The government is not using the flexibility in the visa system to attract workers to the UK,” Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said
“Travel & Tourism contributed nearly £235 billion to the economy and employed almost two million people.”
“Now visitors are arriving to find restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues without staff.”
“The sector needs government action now.”
WTTC says more support is needed to fill these vacancies, which will in turn boost the economy.
During the second half of 2022, data indicates that labour supply will continue to fall short of demand.
Ray Monty
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt