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The post 1.2 million travel jobs in EU to remain unfilled unless urgent action is taken: WTTC appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the European Travel Commission (ETC) warn the tourism sector’s recovery could be put at serious risk if almost 1.2 million jobs remain unfilled across the EU.
The challenging summer labour shortfall has been revealed by WTTC in its latest analysis of the sector and calls for urgent action to address this critical issue. In 2020, when the pandemic was at its peak, the Travel & Tourism sector across the EU suffered the loss of almost 1.7 million jobs.
In 2021, when governments began to ease travel restrictions and travellers’ confidence improved, the sector’s direct contribution to the EU’s economy recovered by 30.4% and recovered 571,000 jobs.
This year, WTTC projects that the sector’s recovery will continue to accelerate and almost reach pre-pandemic levels with an expected 32.9% increase in its direct contribution to the EU economy.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO said: “Europe showed one of the strongest recoveries in 2021, ahead of the global average. However, current shortages of labour could delay this trend and put additional pressure on an already embattled sector. 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.”
A serious number of vacancies are likely to remain unfilled during the busy summer period, with travel agencies forecast to be the worst hit with a 30% shortfall of workers (nearly one in three vacancies unfilled).
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.”
The post 1.2 million travel jobs in EU to remain unfilled unless urgent action is taken: WTTC appeared first on Travel Daily.
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