The global Travel & Tourism sector is poised to create millions of new jobs over the next decade, but a growing labour shortfall could hinder its expansion, according to a new report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The “Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce” report, launched at the WTTC’s 25th Global Summit in Rome, warns that demographic shifts and structural changes may leave a gap of more than 43 million workers by 2035 if action is not taken.

Job growth and rising workforce demand

In 2024, Travel & Tourism supported a record 357 million jobs worldwide, a number expected to rise to 371 million this year. Over the next decade, the sector is projected to generate 91 million new roles, equivalent to one in every three new jobs globally.

The report highlights that while Travel & Tourism will continue to expand faster than many other industries, demand for workers is set to outpace supply.

Hospitality alone could face a shortfall of 8.6 million staff, while low-skilled roles requiring human interaction will remain among the most sought-after positions.

Countries with the largest absolute workforce gaps include China (16.9 million), India (11 million), and the European Union (6.4 million). Japan, Greece, and Germany are expected to experience the largest relative shortages.

Preparing a future-ready workforce

The WTTC report outlines strategies to address the emerging workforce crisis.

Recommendations include strengthening partnerships between educators and the travel industry, promoting careers in Travel & Tourism to young people, and enhancing digital and sustainable skill sets among employees.

The report also emphasises the importance of leadership development, inclusive workplace cultures, and flexible work policies to retain staff and attract new talent.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim CEO, said the report is a “call to action,” highlighting the need for collaboration between governments, businesses, and educational institutions to ensure the sector can continue to provide rewarding opportunities worldwide.

Global collaboration and policy action

The report stresses that meeting future workforce needs will require coordinated international efforts.

Governments are encouraged to adopt policies that reduce barriers to hiring, support training and upskilling initiatives, and encourage workforce diversity.

Saudi Arabia was cited as an example, with nearly 50% of its Travel & Tourism workforce comprising women and more than 649,000 training opportunities.

The WTTC’s findings underline Travel & Tourism’s role as a major engine of global employment, but they also signal the urgent need for planning to prevent labour shortages from limiting the sector’s potential growth.