Travel & Tourism industry social impact rise in female employment globally

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Fresh research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in conjunction with the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC), an initiative driven by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Tourism, has uncovered a remarkable surge in employment opportunities for women and young individuals in the global Travel & Tourism sector.

The study underscores a substantial increase in the direct employment of women within the Travel & Tourism sector from 2010 to 2019, with numbers climbing from 38.6 million to 47.8 million, marking a 24% growth. The hospitality industry emerges as the predominant employer of women within the sector, constituting over half of female employment.

Furthermore, the research highlights the significant presence of young workers in the industry, making up 15% of all positions in both 2010 and 2021. In stark contrast, the overall global employment share of young workers experienced a decline from 16.5% in 2010 to 12.5% in 2021, underscoring the Travel & Tourism industry’s pivotal role in youth employment.

H.E Ahmed Al Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, expressed, “The report provides valuable insights and data about the current state of the industry, allowing nations and regions to establish clear objectives for empowering women and engaging the youth. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains committed to investing in the talent necessary to meet the demands of this thriving sector, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 for youth empowerment and gender equality. For instance, we have seen a 64% increase in female labor force participation since 2021.”

Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, commented, “As part of our Environmental & Social Research efforts, we take great pride in collaborating with the Sustainable Tourism Global Center and releasing this immensely significant report. For the first time, we can demonstrate the industry’s profoundly positive global impact by providing more high-wage jobs, promoting gender equity, and offering sustainable, economically appealing employment opportunities to young people worldwide.”

H.E Gloria Guevara, Chief Special Advisor of the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, remarked, “We view this collaborative report as a pivotal achievement for the global travel and tourism sector. By advocating for quality employment opportunities for youth and women, we foster a more sustainable industry. This approach is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to create a dynamic Saudi society where all citizens can flourish.”

The report further dissects regional employment trends across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, offering the inaugural analysis of Travel & Tourism’s global social impact categorized by age, gender, and income.

Key Findings on Women in the Travel & Tourism Industry:

The report uncovers that the Travel & Tourism industry employed a slightly higher proportion of women compared to other sectors globally in 2021, with 39.3% compared to a 39.2% average.

Hospitality stands out as the primary employer of women within the Travel & Tourism industry, constituting more than half (52%) of all female employment in 2019.

Around the world, women constitute a greater share of Travel & Tourism employment than the broader economy in Asia-Pacific and the Americas. The share of women working in the Travel & Tourism industry in Africa has been on the rise since 2010, and female employment in the Middle East’s economy has also experienced significant growth.

Key Findings on Youth in the Travel & Tourism Industry:

The research emphasizes the consistent, gradual growth of young individuals employed directly within the industry over the past decade, with a total of 39.7 million jobs supported by Travel & Tourism globally in 2019, a 28% increase since 2010. However, this figure was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 27% decline in youth employment.

Notably, throughout the years analyzed, the Asia-Pacific region consistently hosted more than half of the global youth employment in the Travel & Tourism industry, reaching 9.2 million in 2021. With a youth employment growth rate of nearly 37% between 2010 and 2019, the region outpaced all other areas, which experienced growth rates closer to 20%.

Key Findings on High-Wage Jobs in the Travel & Tourism Industry:

In 2021, nearly 34% of positions within the global Travel & Tourism industry were classified as high-wage, marking an increase from 29.6% in 2010.

Regionally, Asia-Pacific boasted the largest share of high-wage jobs in the industry at 38.7%, followed by Africa at 36.2%, and the Americas at 30.6%.

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