Tourexpi
The
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in
collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, today launched a new
report revealing the stark impact of the pandemic on woman and youth
employment within the global Travel & Tourism sector.
Almost
70 million people working in Travel & Tourism lost their jobs during the
pandemic, but women and young people were disproportionately impacted because
their roles were more likely to be in the worst affected areas such as
hospitality and food services.
While
the sector has broadly seen a strong recovery, the ‘Social Trends in Travel
& Tourism Employment’ report found it employed 42 million women and just
over 16 million young people in 2022, notably lower than the 48.4 million women
(-13%) and nearly 19 million young workers (15%) supported by the sector in
2019.
While
the sector remains a vital source of jobs for underrepresented groups, the
report makes clear that more must be done to ensure an inclusive and equitable
recovery.
The
report, which examines employment trends across 185 economies from 2019 to
2022, underscores the sector’s potential as a key driver of inclusive economic
growth and social progress.
It
is critical that we learn from these hardships and implement measures to
protect these groups from being disproportionately affected in future crises.
According
to the latest EIR data, in 2023, the Travel & Tourism sector’s GDP
contribution rose by 29.1% above pre-pandemic levels, outpacing the global
average, which remained 4.1% below.
Yet
despite this economic rebound, the social recovery continued to lag,
particularly for women and young people who remain more likely to be stuck in
informal, part-time, or low-wage roles without security or growth potential.
Julia
Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “This report highlights the
extraordinary potential of Travel & Tourism to drive inclusive growth, but
it also underscores the urgent need for action.
“Women
and young people are the backbone of our sector, yet they continue to face
significant barriers.
“By
investing in skills, promoting inclusive policies, and fostering
entrepreneurship, we can unlock the full potential of these groups and ensure
that our sector leads the way in creating meaningful and sustainable employment
opportunities.”
The
report also highlights that women remain underrepresented in high-wage and
leadership roles, with the gender split in Travel & Tourism employment
nearly mirroring that of the wider economy.
Young
workers, who make up a greater share of the Travel & Tourism workforce
compared to the wider economy, face particular challenges in accessing stable
employment.
Saudi
Arabia Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, welcomed the joint
report findings and emphasised the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting youth and
female employment in the Travel & Tourism sector.
“Saudi
Arabia’s Vision 2030 underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring Travel
& Tourism is a key driver of social change,” he said.
“Our
substantial investments in 2024, includes 375 million riyals for skills
development training local tour guides who acquire deep knowledge of our
nation's rich history and landscapes. Others are becoming entrepreneurs,
focusing on creativity, leadership, and digital skills.
“In
2022, Saudi women's employment in tourism was the fifth fastest growing among
G20 countries. The focus on localising services, in areas like AlUla and
Diriyah, has created new opportunities for women in heritage tourism jobs.
Through stronger partnerships, tourism can transform into a vehicle for
inclusive development, creating a more equitable and prosperous future for
everyone.”
This
joint report calls for urgent action to address these disparities and maximise
the sector’s potential as a driver of inclusive growth.
Key
areas of focus for governments and the Travel & Tourism sector include:
·
Develop policies for skills training
and gender equality
·
Enhance job opportunities for women
and youth
·
Invest in education and leadership
programmes
·
Implement inclusive hiring practices
and equal pay
·
Support flexible work arrangements and
childcare
Promote
entrepreneurship through support for start-ups and small businesses
‘Social
Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment’ serves as a clarion call to
governments and businesses worldwide: to prioritise the inclusion of women and
youth in the workforce, to invest in their skills and future, and to ensure
that the benefits of Travel & Tourism are shared by all.
Read
the full report on Social
Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment: The Impacts of COVID-19 on
the Research Hub.
Image
Credit: © WTTC
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