A groundbreaking Travel & Tourism Social Impact Report, jointly conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC), with the support of the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, has unveiled a remarkable surge in female employment within the sector since 2010. The comprehensive research sheds light on the industry's pivotal role in offering employment opportunities to women and young people worldwide.

The report discloses that between 2010 and 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector witnessed a substantial increase in the direct employment of women, escalating from 38.6 million to an impressive 47.8 million—a notable 24% rise. Notably, the hospitality sector emerges as the primary employer of women within the industry, constituting more than half of female employment.

Furthermore, the report underscores the significance of young workers, comprising 15% of all jobs in the sector in both 2010 and 2021. This is particularly noteworthy as the global employment share of young workers dipped from 16.5% in 2010 to 12.5% in 2021, underscoring the Travel & Tourism sector's crucial role in youth employment.

H.E Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, emphasized the report's role in empowering women and engaging youth globally, aligning with the strategic goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The Minister highlighted a 64% increase in female labor force participation since 2021, showcasing the Kingdom's commitment to fostering talent for the thriving sector.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, expressed pride in releasing the report, emphasizing the sector's positive global impact by supporting high-wage jobs, gender equality, and providing sustainable employment for young people.

H.E Gloria Guevara, Chief Special Advisor of the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, hailed the report as a milestone for the global travel and tourism sector, promoting quality employment for women and youth in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

The report provides a comprehensive regional breakdown of employment across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. It represents the first analysis of Travel & Tourism’s global social footprint, offering insights into age, gender, and income demographics.

Highlights from the Report:

Women in Travel & Tourism:

• The sector employed a slightly higher share of women globally in 2021 (39.3%) compared to the global average (39.2%).

• Hospitality leads as the primary employer of women, accounting for 52% of all female employment in 2019.

• Women constitute a larger share of Travel & Tourism employment than the broader workforce in Asia-Pacific and the Americas. The share of women in the sector in Africa has risen since 2010, and female employment in the Middle East has experienced significant growth.

Youth in Travel & Tourism:

Over the last decade, there has been consistent and steady growth in young people directly employed by the sector, with a total of 39.7 million jobs supported globally in 2019—an increase of 28% since 2010.

COVID-19 had a significant impact, resulting in a 27% drop in youth employment.

Asia-Pacific leads in global youth employment in the sector, accounting for more than half of the total in 2021, with a growth rate of nearly 37% between 2010 and 2019.

High Wage Jobs in Travel & Tourism:

In 2021, almost 34% of jobs in the global Travel & Tourism sector were categorized as high wage, up from 29.6% in 2010.

Asia-Pacific holds the largest share of high wage jobs (38.7%), followed by Africa (36.2%) and the Americas (30.6%).

In conclusion, the report paints a positive picture of the Travel & Tourism sector's social impact, emphasizing its role in fostering gender equality, youth empowerment, and the creation of high-wage jobs on a global scale. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and regions seeking to harness the potential of this thriving sector.