The Global Travel and Tourism Industry Faces a 43 Million Worker Shortage by 2035
Rome, Italy. The travel and tourism sector will face the challenge of finding workers to fill all the jobs it will create over the next decade, with a potential gap of 43 million by 2035, warns Gloria Guevara Manzo, interim president of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Key Findings from the Study
These findings come from The Future of the Workforce of Travel and Tourism, a study conducted by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University with sponsorship from Saudi Arabia and consultancy Coraggio. In the next ten years, the travel and tourism sector will solidify as one of the most dynamic job creators. One in three new jobs will be related to this sector, totaling over 90 million positions. However, it cannot fill around 43 million of these roles, with approximately 20 million being low-skilled jobs.
Impact on Mexico and Other Regions
For Mexico, the talent shortage would amount to 910,000 individuals, representing 10% of the sector’s workforce. Similarly, other regions face significant challenges:
- China: 16.9 million
- India: 11 million
- Japan: 2 million
- European Union: 6.4 million
The anticipated shortages in China and India correlate with the expected growth of their travel and tourism sectors. These countries have gained international recognition as tourist destinations, alongside growing domestic demand driven by economic growth and expanding middle classes with higher purchasing power.
Challenges in Europe
In Europe, one of the issues is an aging population. This demographic shift coincides with a lack of interest among younger generations to work in hospitality and food service. The problem extends beyond wages; it’s essential to communicate the sector’s opportunities for career advancement, as many leaders started in entry-level positions.
Migration Restrictions
Another factor exacerbating this issue is migration restrictions, as many hospitality workers are migrants. Each country must determine the best course of action based on its unique circumstances.
Proposed Solutions
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University report suggests several actions to address this problem:
- Ensure decent working conditions and facilitate inclusion
- Make career advancement easier to retain talent
- Develop programs targeting younger demographics
- Leverage technology to boost productivity and create off-season income opportunities
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue? The global travel and tourism sector faces a 43 million worker shortage by 2035.
- Which regions are most affected? China, India, Japan, and the European Union face significant shortages.
- Why is Mexico concerned? Mexico anticipates a 910,000 worker shortage, representing 10% of its tourism workforce.
- What are the challenges in Europe? An aging population and a lack of interest from younger generations to work in hospitality are key issues.
- How do migration restrictions play a role? Many hospitality workers are migrants, and restrictions could worsen the shortage.
- What solutions are proposed? The report suggests ensuring decent working conditions, facilitating career advancement, targeting younger demographics, and leveraging technology.
