Devastating Impact of the Pandemic on Female and Young Workers in the Travel and Tourism Industry Unveiled by WTTC
In a significant development, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new report, "Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment: The Impacts of COVID-19," which highlights the urgent need for action to unlock the full potential of women and young people in the Travel & Tourism sector.
The report, launched in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism, reveals that despite the economic rebound, the social recovery in the sector continues to lag, particularly for women and young people. This is evident in the 2022 figures, which show that the Travel & Tourism sector employed 42 million women and just over 16 million young people, lower than the numbers in 2019.
However, there are reasons for optimism. The Travel & Tourism sector's GDP contribution rose by 29.1% above pre-pandemic levels in 2023, outpacing the global average. This growth is particularly significant in Saudi Arabia, where women's employment in the tourism sector was the fifth fastest growing among G20 countries in 2022.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 underscores the Kingdom's commitment to ensuring Travel & Tourism is a key driver of social change. This commitment is echoed by Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, who emphasised the Kingdom's commitment to supporting youth and female employment in the sector.
The report underscores the importance of sustainable development, empowerment, and creating safe, supportive environments that promote participation and leadership roles for women and young people in the Travel & Tourism sector. WTTC's approach focuses on several key elements:
- Empowerment and Access to Opportunities: WTTC supports women and youth through access to decent work and entrepreneurship in Travel & Tourism, boosting their economic participation and professional development, often through small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which are vital job creators and innovation drivers in developing regions.
- Safe and Supportive Environments: WTTC has developed global health and safety guidelines (Safe Travels Protocols) fostering secure travel environments conducive to tourism sector recovery, which indirectly help protect vulnerable groups in the workforce, including women and young people.
- Inclusive Leadership and Representation: WTTC promotes diversity by breaking leadership barriers and encourages sustainable tourism growth that integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations, which benefit marginalized groups by fostering equitable sector policies and practices.
- Capacity Building and Education: WTTC aligns with the global call for empowering women and youth through skills training and education, ensuring they can access and thrive in future tourism workforce roles.
The focus on community-based tourism and women’s economic empowerment, alongside strong health protocols and leadership diversity, form the backbone of WTTC’s recommended actions to promote an inclusive, equitable recovery for women and youth in global Travel & Tourism.
The report examines employment trends across 185 economies from 2019 to 2022 and finds that more must be done to ensure an inclusive and equitable recovery in the Travel & Tourism sector. Almost 70 million people working in Travel & Tourism lost their jobs during the pandemic, with women and young people being disproportionately impacted.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, states that the report underscores the urgent need for action to maximize the sector's potential as a driver of inclusive growth. The report serves as a call to prioritize the inclusion of women and youth in the workforce, to invest in their skills and future, and to ensure that the benefits of Travel & Tourism are shared by all.
In 2024, Saudi Arabia plans to invest 375 million riyals for skills development training local tour guides and supporting entrepreneurship. This investment, coupled with WTTC's recommendations, offers a promising path towards a more inclusive and equitable Travel & Tourism sector. The full report can be found on "Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment: The Impacts of COVID-19" on the Research Hub.
Young workers, who make up a greater share of the Travel & Tourism workforce compared to the wider economy, face particular challenges in accessing stable employment. The report calls for urgent action to address these disparities and ensure a sustainable, inclusive recovery for all.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) emphasizes the importance of empowering women and young people in the Travel & Tourism sector, as shown by their approach, which focuses on empowerment and access to opportunities, safe and supportive environments, inclusive leadership and representation, and capacity building and education.
In alignment with this, Saudi Arabia's planned investment of 375 million riyals in 2024 for skills development and local tour guide training, along with WTTC's recommendations, presents a promising avenue for a more inclusive and equitable Travel & Tourism sector, particularly in women's health and wellness, and health-and-wellness career opportunities within the sector.
