WTTC Study Reveals Pandemic’s Toll on Women and Youth in the Tourism Industry

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, has revealed the stark impact of the pandemic on women and young people employed in the global travel and tourism sector. According to a new report, the industry lost almost 70 million jobs during the pandemic, with women and young people disproportionately affected.

The report, titled “Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment,” found that the sector employed 42 million women and 16 million young people in 2022, notably lower than the 48.4 million women (-13%) and 19 million young workers (-15%) supported by the sector in 2019. While the sector is a vital supplier of jobs to these groups, more clearly needs to be done for an equitable and inclusive recovery within the industry.

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“Women and young people are the backbone of our sector, yet they continue to face significant barriers,” said Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the WTTC. “By investing in skills, promoting inclusive policies and fostering entrepreneurship, we can unlock the full potential of these groups and ensure that our sector leads the way in creating meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities.”

The report also highlighted that women remain underrepresented in high-wage and leadership roles, with the gender split in travel and tourism employment nearly mirroring that of the wider economy. And young workers, who make up a greater share of the travel and tourism workforce compared to the wider economy, face particular challenges in finding stable employment. Both groups are “more likely to be stuck in informal, part-time or low-wage roles without security or growth potential,” according to the WTTC.

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“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring travel and tourism is a key driver of social change,” said Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s minister of tourism. “In 2022, Saudi women’s employment in tourism was the fifth fastest growing among G20 countries. The focus on localizing services, in areas like AlUla and Diriyah, has created new opportunities for women in heritage tourism jobs. Through stronger partnerships, tourism can transform into a vehicle for inclusive development, creating a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone.”

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The report calls for urgent action to address these disparities and maximize the sector’s potential as a driver of inclusive growth. Key areas of focus include developing policies for skills training and gender equality, enhancing job opportunities for women and youth, investing in education and leadership programs, implementing inclusive hiring practices and equal pay, supporting flexible work arrangements and childcare and promoting entrepreneurship with support for small businesses.

Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by the World Travel & Tourism Council. It has been fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.