Published on
October 4, 2025
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled a significant report forecasting that the Travel & Tourism sector will contribute an additional 91 million jobs globally by 2035. This expansion comes at a time when the sector is already supporting over 350 million jobs worldwide. However, the report raises alarms about the potential shortfall of more than 43 million workers across 20 major economies unless strategic workforce planning is addressed.
The findings indicate that while the industry continues to grow, it must tackle challenges such as demographic shifts and structural changes in labor markets to ensure the workforce can meet future demands.
Travel & Tourism to Drive One in Three New Jobs Globally by 2035
The travel and tourism industry has been a significant global job creator, with 357 million people employed in the sector in 2024. The report predicts that this number will rise to 371 million in 2025. Over the next decade, the sector is expected to account for one in every three net new jobs created globally.
Despite this positive outlook, demographic and structural obstacles threaten to leave labor supply 16 percent below the growing demand for workers by 2035. As travel and tourism expand, finding and retaining enough talent to fill these roles will become increasingly critical.
Staffing Gaps to Widen: Hospitality Faces Global Deficit
The hospitality sector is projected to face the most significant labor shortages. With a global deficit of 8.6 million workers predicted by 2035, the industry will be 18 percent short of the required staffing levels. The demand for roles that require human interaction, which are harder to automate, will continue to drive this gap. Positions in customer service, hotel management, and other service-facing roles will be essential, yet increasingly difficult to fill.
While automation technologies have the potential to ease certain labor demands, the report highlights that sectors such as hospitality and other service-facing industries will continue to be largely dependent on human workers.
Key Strategies to Address the Workforce Challenge
The WTTC emphasizes that addressing the potential labor shortfall will require the collective efforts of governments, industry leaders, and educational institutions. To ensure the Travel & Tourism sector continues to thrive, the report suggests several key strategies to bridge the workforce gap:
- Attract Youth to the Industry
The travel and tourism sector needs to showcase diverse career pathways to appeal to younger generations. Promoting the sector’s range of career opportunities, from management to hospitality, will be critical in drawing youth into the workforce. - Align Educational Curricula with Industry Needs
To prepare students for careers in the travel and tourism industry, educational institutions must update their curricula to reflect the latest industry trends. Increased experiential training will also help students transition more seamlessly into the workforce. - Improve Staff Retention
A major component of solving the workforce gap is improving staff retention. The WTTC recommends creating clear leadership pipelines and fostering inclusive workplace environments to ensure employees stay in the sector long-term. - Invest in Digital Skills and Sustainable Practices
With the rise of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), workers in the industry must be trained in digital skills. Investing in AI adoption and sustainable practices will boost productivity while keeping the industry competitive. - Introduce Flexible Staffing Policies
The report suggests that flexibility in staffing policies could improve worker mobility and productivity. Reducing barriers to international hiring and offering flexible work arrangements will also help attract talent from diverse backgrounds.
The Need for Collective Efforts
The WTTC underscores that the challenge of filling the travel and tourism workforce gap will require concerted efforts from all parties involved. Governments, private sector players, and educational institutions must collaborate to implement solutions that will sustain and grow the sector’s workforce.
The industry’s growth is not just a matter of creating jobs but also about ensuring that the jobs created are sustainable, well-paying, and inclusive. As the sector continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that workforce planning becomes a priority in all regions.
The Road Ahead: Preparing for Future Job Creation
Looking toward 2035, the Travel & Tourism sector holds immense potential for job creation, innovation, and economic growth. However, this potential can only be realized if there is a concerted effort to close the labor gap. Addressing demographic trends, aligning education with industry needs, and investing in digital technologies will all be essential steps to ensure the sector remains a strong driver of global job growth.
By making the necessary investments in workforce development, the Travel & Tourism industry can continue to be a leader in global job creation while offering exciting career opportunities for generations to come.
