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.