Catastrophic Impact of the Pandemic on Female and Youth Employment in the Travel and Tourism Sector Unveiled by WTTC
A new report launched in collaboration between the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism has highlighted the urgent need for action to ensure an inclusive and equitable recovery for women and young people in the Travel & Tourism sector.
The report, titled 'Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment', reveals that despite the 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.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said that the report underscores the urgent need for action to unlock the full potential of women and young people in the Travel & Tourism sector. "We must focus on improving job quality, ensuring equal pay, investing in training and mentorship, applying gender-sensitive policies, supporting youth with comprehensive employment programs, and building enabling partnerships to reduce disparities for women and youth in travel and tourism," she added.
The report found that 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. In 2022, the Travel & Tourism sector employed 42 million women and just over 16 million young people, which is lower than the numbers in 2019. During the pandemic, almost 70 million people working in Travel & Tourism lost their jobs.
The Travel & Tourism sector's GDP contribution rose by 29.1% above pre-pandemic levels in 2023, outpacing the global average. However, women remain underrepresented in high-wage and leadership roles within the sector.
Saudi Arabia, with its Vision 2030, has shown a commitment to ensuring Travel & Tourism is a key driver of social change. In 2024, the Kingdom plans to invest 375 million riyals for skills development training local tour guides and entrepreneurs. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, has emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to supporting youth and female employment in the sector. In 2022, Saudi women's employment in tourism was the fifth fastest growing among G20 countries.
The report serves as a call to prioritize the inclusion of women and youth in the workforce, invest in their skills, and ensure that the benefits of Travel & Tourism are shared by all. Key areas of focus for governments and the Travel & Tourism sector include developing policies for skills training and gender equality, enhancing job opportunities, investing in education and leadership programs, implementing inclusive hiring practices and equal pay, supporting flexible work arrangements and childcare, and promoting entrepreneurship.
The report examines employment trends across 185 economies from 2019 to 2022. Promoting success stories and leadership, partnerships and institutional strengthening are also crucial for a sustainable and equitable recovery in the Travel & Tourism sector.
[1] World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) (2022). 'Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment'. [2] International Labour Organization (ILO) (2021). 'Women at Work: Trends 2021'. [3] United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) (2021). 'Gender Equality in Tourism: A Pathway to Sustainable Development'. [4] World Economic Forum (2021). 'The Global Gender Gap Report 2021'. [5] International Youth Foundation (IYF) (2021). 'Youth Employment in the Travel & Tourism Sector: Challenges and Opportunities'.
- To ensure a comprehensive recovery in the Travel & Tourism sector, it's essential to focus on improving job quality, investing in training and mentorship, and promoting policies for skills training and gender equality – as highlighted in the WTTC's report, 'Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment'.
- In light of the report's findings that women and young people are disproportionately represented in the health-and-wellness sub-sector of Travel & Tourism, particularly in areas like hospitality and food services, there is a pressing need to prioritize their health-and-wellness, address the disparities, and advocate for women's health within the sector.
