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The global travel and tourism sector is expected to remain one of the world’s most powerful job creators, but a new report warns of an urgent need to prepare for looming workforce shortages.
Launched at the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 25th Global Summit in Rome, the report Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce highlights that by 2035, the industry is on course to generate 91 million new jobs. This would mean one in three of all new jobs worldwide would come from the sector.
Yet, demographic changes and shifting economic trends mean the global workforce supply will fall short by more than 43 million people, leaving staffing levels 16 per cent below what the industry requires.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim CEO, said, “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 to shrink, this is creating an increased pressure on labour supply, especially for fast-growing sectors like Travel & Tourism.”
“This report is a call to action. By working together with governments and educators, 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.”
The hospitality industry alone could face an 8.6 million worker gap, with many of the most in-demand roles being low-skilled positions that rely on human interaction and cannot be automated. Countries expected to see the largest shortfalls include China (16.9 million), India (11 million), and the European Union (6.4 million). Japan, Greece, and Germany are projected to experience the steepest gaps in relative terms.
Despite these challenges, WTTC notes the sector remains a “powerhouse” for global job creation. In 2024, travel and tourism supported a record 357 million jobs worldwide, a figure expected to rise to 371 million this year.
The report stresses the importance of collaboration between governments, industry leaders, and educators to ensure a future-ready workforce. Recommendations include promoting tourism careers among young people, aligning training with industry needs, boosting staff retention through development opportunities, and investing in digital skills and sustainable practices. Flexible employment policies and reduced barriers to international recruitment are also seen as crucial.
While the workforce shortfall poses significant risks, WTTC believes that with the right policies and partnerships, the sector can continue to deliver prosperity, innovation, and opportunity to communities across the world.
His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, added, “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 per cent women.”
