The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, has released a report revealing the stark reality of the pandemic’s impact on women and young people within the global travel and tourism sector. The report, a stark reminder of the inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic, calls for swift and decisive action to ensure a more inclusive and equitable recovery.
The travel and tourism sector, one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, saw nearly 70 million jobs lost globally. The report highlights the disproportionate impact on women and youth, who are overrepresented in sectors like hospitality and food services, the areas that experienced the most significant job losses.
While the sector has shown a strong recovery, the report paints a concerning picture of the recovery’s impact on women and youth employment. In 2022, the sector employed 42 million women and just over 16 million young people, a significant drop compared to pre-pandemic levels. This disparity is further underlined by the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions and high-wage roles, while young workers struggle to secure stable employment.
Despite the sector contributing 29.1% more to global GDP in 2023 than pre-pandemic levels, the social recovery for women and youth workers remains lagging. Many find themselves stuck in informal, part-time, or low-wage roles with limited opportunities for growth.
The WTTC report urges governments and the travel and tourism sector to take immediate action to address these disparities. Key recommendations include:
* Implementing policies promoting gender equality across all levels of the sector.
* Investing in skills training programs to equip women and young people with the necessary qualifications for success.
* Creating better job opportunities with fair wages and opportunities for career progression.
* Encouraging education programs that focus on travel and tourism, equipping youth with the knowledge and skills needed for the industry.
* Implementing inclusive hiring practices to ensure equitable access to employment opportunities.
* Advocating for equal pay for equal work, closing the gender pay gap.
* Promoting flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance, particularly for women and young parents.
* Supporting the growth of start-ups and small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship within the sector.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb, highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts in supporting youth and female employment, stating that Saudi women’s employment in tourism was the fifth fastest-growing among G20 countries in 2022. Al Khateeb emphasized the role of localizing services in areas like AlUla and Diriyah in creating new opportunities for women in heritage tourism roles.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO, emphasized that by investing in skills, promoting inclusive policies, and fostering entrepreneurship, the travel and tourism sector can unlock the full potential of women and young people, ensuring meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities for all.
The report serves as a critical call to action for the travel and tourism sector, highlighting the need for focused efforts to ensure a truly inclusive and sustainable recovery that benefits all individuals.
