An estimated 1.2m jobs in the EU travel and tourism sector remain unfilled, with the travel agency sector hit by a 30% shortfall in workers, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the European Travel Commission (ETC).
The WTTC estimates that some 1.7m jobs were lost in travel and tourism two years ago, at the height of the pandemic, with the industries recovering 571,000 or 30.4% of those jobs in 2021 as restrictions eased and traveller confidence improved.
The organisation now projects that the sector's recovery will continue to accelerate with an expected 32.9% increase in its direct contribution to the EU economy, but has said that travel agencies expect nearly one in three jobs to go unfilled
"Europe showed one of the strongest recoveries in 2021, ahead of the global average. However, current shortages of labour can delay this trend and put additional pressure on an already embattled sector," said Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO.
“Governments and the private sector need to come together to provide the best opportunities for people looking for the great career opportunities that the travel sector offers.”
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"A serious number of vacancies are likely to remain unfilled during the busy summer period, with travel agencies forecasted to be the worst hit with a 30% shortfall of workers."
The air transport (21%) and accommodation (22%) segments are likely to fail to fill a fifth of positions, and the WTTC and ETC have called on governments and the private sector to implement six measures to address the issue.
The bodies have urged governments to facilitate visas and work permits for increased labour mobility, for businesses to enable flexible and remote working where possible, ensure decent work conditions, provide social safety nets and highlight career growth opportunities.
They also encouraged travel businesses to upskill and reskill talent with comprehensive training; create and promote education and apprenticeships; and adopt innovative technologies and digital solutions to improve operations.
Luis Araujo, ETC president, said: “Europe, as the leading and most competitive tourism destination in the world, is committed to becoming the most sustainable one. But the goal of the twin transition (green and digital) will only be achieved if we succeed in attracting and retaining talent for this sector.
"This is one of the biggest challenges for the sector and needs coordinated, multi-layered and joint (public and private) solutions.”
