A new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, shows the pandemic hit women and young workers in the travel industry the hardest.
According to the Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment report, nearly 70 million jobs were lost during the pandemic, with women and youth suffering the most. Many worked in hospitality and food services, sectors most affected by the crisis.
By 2022, the sector employed 42 million women and just over 16 million young people—significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels of 48.4 million women and 19 million youth, showing declines of 13% and 15%.
WTTC President & CEO, Julia Simpson, said, “Women and young people are the backbone of our sector, yet they continue to face significant barriers. By investing in skills, promoting inclusive policies, and fostering entrepreneurship, we can unlock the full potential of these groups.”
Despite economic recovery, the report highlights ongoing challenges for women and youth, who are more likely to be in informal, low-wage jobs with little security.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb, stressed the importance of supporting youth and female employment, particularly through skills training and new opportunities in heritage tourism.
The WTTC urges governments and businesses to act quickly to close these gaps and promote inclusive growth across the sector.