The World Journey & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, at present launched a new report revealing the stark affect of the pandemic on lady and youth employment throughout the international Journey & Tourism sector.
Nearly 70 million folks working in Journey & Tourism misplaced their jobs through the pandemic, however girls and younger folks had been disproportionately impacted as a result of their roles had been extra prone to be within the worst affected areas comparable to hospitality and meals companies.
Whereas the sector has broadly seen a powerful restoration, the ‘Social Traits in Journey & Tourism Employment’ report discovered it employed 42 million girls and simply over 16 million younger folks in 2022, notably decrease than the 48.4 million girls (-13%) and almost 19 million younger staff (15%) supported by the sector in 2019.
Whereas the sector stays a significant supply of jobs for underrepresented teams, the report makes clear that extra should be achieved to make sure an inclusive and equitable restoration.
The report, which examines employment developments throughout 185 economies from 2019 to 2022, underscores the sector’s potential as a key driver of inclusive financial progress and social progress.
It’s important that we be taught from these hardships and implement measures to guard these teams from being disproportionately affected in future crises.
In response to the newest EIR knowledge, in 2023, the Journey & Tourism sector’s GDP contribution rose by 29.1% above pre-pandemic ranges, outpacing the worldwide common, which remained 4.1% under.
But regardless of this financial rebound, the social restoration continued to lag, significantly for ladies and younger individuals who stay extra prone to be caught in casual, part-time, or low-wage roles with out safety or progress potential.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, mentioned: “This report highlights the extraordinary potential of Journey & Tourism to drive inclusive progress, however it additionally underscores the pressing want for motion.
“Girls and younger individuals are the spine of our sector, but they proceed to face vital boundaries.
“By investing in abilities, selling inclusive insurance policies, and fostering entrepreneurship, we are able to unlock the total potential of those teams and make sure that our sector leads the way in which in creating significant and sustainable employment alternatives.”
The report additionally highlights that girls stay underrepresented in high-wage and management roles, with the gender cut up in Journey & Tourism employment almost mirroring that of the broader economic system.
Younger staff, who make up a better share of the Journey & Tourism workforce in comparison with the broader economic system, face explicit challenges in accessing steady employment.
Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, welcomed the joint report findings and emphasised the Kingdom’s dedication to supporting youth and feminine employment within the Journey & Tourism sector.
“Saudi Arabia’s Imaginative and prescient 2030 underscores the Kingdom’s dedication to making sure Journey & Tourism is a key driver of social change,” he mentioned.
“Our substantial investments in 2024, contains 375 million riyals for abilities growth coaching native tour guides who purchase deep data of our nation’s wealthy historical past and landscapes. Others have gotten entrepreneurs, specializing in creativity, management, and digital abilities.
“In 2022, Saudi girls’s employment in tourism was the fifth quickest rising amongst G20 international locations. The give attention to localising companies, in areas like AlUla and Diriyah, has created new alternatives for ladies in heritage tourism jobs. By stronger partnerships, tourism can rework right into a automobile for inclusive growth, making a extra equitable and affluent future for everybody.”
This joint report requires pressing motion to deal with these disparities and maximise the sector’s potential as a driver of inclusive progress.
Key areas of focus for governments and the Journey & Tourism sector embrace:
- Develop insurance policies for abilities coaching and gender equality
- Improve job alternatives for ladies and youth
- Spend money on schooling and management programmes
- Implement inclusive hiring practices and equal pay
- Help versatile work preparations and childcare
- Promote entrepreneurship by help for start-ups and small companies
‘Social Traits in Journey & Tourism Employment’ serves as a clarion name to governments and companies worldwide: to prioritise the inclusion of ladies and youth within the workforce, to spend money on their abilities and future, and to make sure that the advantages of Journey & Tourism are shared by all.
