Report reveals impact pandemic had on...

Almost 70 million people across industry lost their jobs

The global impact of the pandemic on the travel and tourism sector has been revealed in a report released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism.

According to the data, almost 70 million people working in industry 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: 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 almost 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 says 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.

According to the latest EIR data for 2023, the travel and 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 and CEO, said: “This report highlights the extraordinary potential of travel and 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 and tourism employment nearly mirroring that of the wider economy.

Young workers, who make up a greater share of the tourism workforce compared to the wider economy, face challenges in accessing stable employment.

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 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

Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, welcomed the joint report findings and emphasised Saudi’s commitment to supporting youth and female employment in the sector.

“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring travel and tourism is a key driver of social change,” he said.

“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.”

For more information, visit https://wttc.org/

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