In an era of evolving workplaces, the global Travel & Tourism sector stands out as a beacon of progress and opportunity. Recent research spearheaded by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC), in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, has unveiled a remarkable narrative: a significant surge in female employment and unwavering support for the youth workforce in the sector since 2010.
This groundbreaking report illuminates a 24% increase in women’s employment in Travel & Tourism from 2010 to 2019, jumping from 38.6 million to a robust 47.8 million. Notably, hospitality emerges as the leading employer for women within the sector, responsible for over half of this burgeoning female workforce.
Additionally, the report underscores the vital role of young workers in this dynamic sector. Despite a global decrease in youth employment, the Travel & Tourism sector consistently employed 15% of all its jobs to young individuals, both in 2010 and in 2021. This stark contrast highlights the sector’s pivotal contribution to youth employment worldwide.
H.E Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, commented on the report’s significance: “The insights and data provided are instrumental in setting clear objectives for empowering women and engaging youth in our global societies. Saudi Arabia is committed to fostering talent to meet the growing demands of this thriving sector, aligning perfectly with our Vision 2030 objectives.”
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, echoed these sentiments, expressing pride in the collaborative effort and its revelations. “This report marks a first in demonstrating the sector’s positive global impact, from supporting high-wage jobs to creating equal opportunities for women and offering sustainable, attractive jobs for young people across the globe.”
Adding to the discourse, H.E Gloria Guevara, Chief Special Advisor to the Saudi Minister of Tourism, highlighted the report as a global travel and tourism milestone. “By championing quality employment for young people and women, we are steering the sector towards greater sustainability, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s aim of fostering a vibrant society where all citizens can prosper.”
The report provides a comprehensive regional breakdown of employment across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. It is the inaugural analysis of Travel & Tourism’s global social footprint, segmented by age, gender, and income.
In terms of gender distribution, the sector in 2021 employed a marginally higher share of women compared to other global industries – 39.3% versus a 39.2% average. The report further highlights that more than half (52%) of female employment in Travel & Tourism in 2019 was in hospitality.
Regionally, women constitute more of the Travel & Tourism workforce than the broader economy in regions like Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Meanwhile, female employment in Travel & Tourism in Africa has steadily risen since 2010, and the Middle East has also witnessed significant growth in female workforce participation.
The youth segment presents an equally impressive story, with steady growth in employment over the past decade. Despite the setback caused by COVID-19, the sector supported 39.7 million jobs worldwide in 2019, marking a 28% increase since 2010. The Asia-Pacific region led this growth, with youth employment in the sector soaring by nearly 37% between 2010 and 2019.
Furthermore, the sector has seen a notable shift towards high-wage jobs. In 2021, nearly 34% of jobs in the global Travel & Tourism sector were classified as high-wage, up from 29.6% in 2010. This trend is most pronounced in the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas.
The full extent of this transformative journey in the Travel & Tourism sector, emphasising empowering women and supporting the youth, is accessible through a new interactive microsite and the complete social report, offering a window into a future where sustainable growth and inclusive employment go hand in hand.
For more details on the Environmental and Social Research reports, visit the interactive microsite and access the full Social report here.
Written by: Michelle Warner
