WTTC Report Reveals Pandemic's Severe Impact On Women And Youth Employment In Travel Sector

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, has released a report highlighting the pandemic's severe impact on jobs for women and youth in the global travel and tourism industry. The pandemic led to job losses for about 70 million people worldwide, with women and youth disproportionately affected due to their roles in sectors like hospitality and food services.

In 2019, the travel and tourism sector employed 48.4 million women and approximately 19 million young people. By 2022, these numbers had dropped to 42 million women and 16.1 million youth globally. Despite borders reopening, women's employment in this sector was still 13% lower than pre-pandemic levels, equating to a loss of 6.4 million jobs. Youth employment also saw a decline of 15%, or 2.8 million jobs.

The WTTC's Economic Impact Research (EIR) data indicates that the travel and tourism sector's contribution to GDP in 2023 rose by 29.1% compared to pre-pandemic levels, surpassing the global average, which remains 4.1% lower. However, social recovery lags behind economic recovery, particularly for women and young people who often work in informal or low-wage jobs with limited advancement opportunities.

Challenges for Women and Youth

The report underscores the low representation of women in high-paying and leadership roles within the travel and tourism sector, reflecting broader gender disparities in the economy. Young people also face difficulties securing stable employment despite making up a significant portion of the global workforce.

"This report emphasizes the tremendous potential of the travel and tourism sector to drive inclusive growth," said WTTC president Julia Simpson. "However, it also highlights the urgent need for action. Women and young people are the backbone of our sector, yet they continue to face significant barriers."

Saudi Arabia's Commitment

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb expressed support for the report's findings, emphasizing Saudi Arabia's commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for youth and women in tourism as part of Vision 2030. "Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 highlights the Kingdom's dedication to making the travel and tourism sector a key driver of social change," he stated.

In 2024, Saudi Arabia plans to allocate significant funds towards skills development in tourism, including $100 million for training workers at all levels. Specialized programs will be available for local guides to deepen their understanding of Saudi Arabia's history and natural attractions.

Al-Khateeb noted that Saudi women have made notable progress in tourism within the Kingdom, achieving a participation rate of 42% by 2024. In related sectors defined by the World Tourism Organization, their participation reached 46%, with leadership roles accounting for a participation rate of 22%. These figures highlight government efforts to empower Saudi women across various fields.

The report stresses that while economic indicators show recovery, more needs to be done socially to ensure equitable growth within the travel and tourism industry globally.

With inputs from SPA