WTTC projects 91 million new tourism jobs by 2035
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) says tourism will support more than 90 million new jobs over the next decade.
However, 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, it says.
A new report, Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce, focused on 20 economies is based on a large-scale survey of business leaders and in-depth interviews with WTTC Members and other key stakeholders.
It highlights how the sector has rebounded as a global engine for job creation, but also how structural shifts, including shrinking working-age populations will further impact the tourism sector.
In 2024, the sector supported a record 357 million jobs worldwide and is forecast to support 371 million this year.
Over the next decade, tourism is projected to generate 91 million new roles.
By 2035, global demand for workers in tourism will significantly outpace supply it projects.
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 will remain the most sought after, with a need of more than 20 million additional workers projected.
The report highlights that the labour challenge will affect all the 20 major economies analysed for the report.
It finds the largest absolute shortfalls forecast is in China (16.9m), India (11m), and the European Union (6.4m).
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%).
Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim CEO, said “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.”
“This report is a call to action. By working together with governments and educators, our sector will meet these challenges.”
The report sets out how the sector can turn the challenges into opportunities.
Addressing the workforce challenge will require close alignment between governments, stakeholders, and education providers, it says.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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