The global Travel & Tourism sector is forecast to remain a powerful engine of job creation over the next decade, but faces a looming labour shortfall of more than 43 million workers by 2035, according to a landmark study from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Launched at the WTTC’s 25th Global Summit in Rome, the Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce report highlights both the sector’s extraordinary growth prospects and its structural vulnerabilities. Produced in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, Coraggio Group, Miles Partnership and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the report draws on extensive global research, surveys of business leaders and in-depth interviews.
A sector powering global employment
Travel & Tourism supported a record 357 million jobs worldwide in 2024, with this figure expected to rise to 371 million in 2025. By 2035, the sector is set to generate 91 million additional jobs, accounting for one in three new roles created globally.
Yet, despite this expansion, the WTTC warns that demand for workers will outpace supply, leaving the industry with a 16% shortfall in staffing levels. The hospitality sector alone could face an 8.6 million worker gap, while demand for low-skilled, human-centred roles is set to remain particularly acute.
Regional pressures and demographic shifts
The labour gap will be felt across all major economies surveyed, with the largest absolute shortfalls predicted in China (16.9M), India (11M) and the European Union (6.4M). In relative terms, Japan’s Travel & Tourism workforce is projected to fall 29% short of demand, followed by Greece (-27%) and Germany (-26%).
Structural changes are intensifying the challenge. Shrinking working-age populations, combined with faster-than-average sector growth, are placing additional strain on labour supply. The impact of the pandemic also lingers, with many workers leaving the industry during COVID-19 and not returning.
Calls for urgent workforce planning
Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim CEO, stressed the need for immediate action:“Travel & Tourism is set to remain one of the world’s biggest job creators, but wider demographic and structural changes are reshaping labour markets everywhere. This report is a call to action. By working with governments and educators, our sector can reduce the workforce gap and unlock its full potential.”
Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister, Ahmed Al Khateeb, pointed to his country’s investment in training and inclusion, noting that nearly half of the Kingdom’s tourism workforce is now female.
Sara Meaney, Managing Partner at Coraggio Group, said the challenge presents an opportunity to redesign roles for the modern workforce: “It will require investment and intention to design jobs that inspire, careers that evolve, and workplaces that reflect today’s values.”
Building a future-ready workforce
The WTTC report sets out several key measures to address the workforce challenge:
- Inspiring younger generations by showcasing the diversity and dynamism of tourism careers.
- Strengthening collaboration between industry and educators to align training with employer needs.
- Boosting retention through leadership development, clear progression routes and inclusive workplace cultures.
- Investing in digital skills and sustainability, ensuring staff are prepared for technological change.
- Introducing flexible labour policies, including international recruitment and innovative scheduling.
Despite the challenges, Travel & Tourism remains unmatched in its capacity to drive prosperity. With governments, educators and industry leaders aligned, the sector has the potential to not only sustain its role as a global job creator but also redefine the future of work.