The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, has presented a new report titled "Social Trends in Travel and Tourism Employment," which analyzes the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on employment in the global tourism sector. This study, which examines data from 185 economies between 2019 and 2022, reveals a worrying reality: although the sector has shown signs of recovery, women and youth remain the most affected, facing greater difficulties in re-entering the workforce compared to other groups.

During the global health crisis, the travel and tourism sector experienced one of the largest job losses in its history. According to the report, more than 70 million people lost their jobs in this industry, with a higher proportion of women and youth among the affected. This highlights a troubling trend, as these two groups represent a significant portion of the sector’s workforce but are also the most vulnerable in times of crisis.

In 2022, significant improvement was observed in job creation within the tourism sector. However, the recovery has not been equitable. In 2022, the sector employed 42 million women and just over 16 million youth, figures lower than the 48.4 million women and nearly 19 million youth employed in 2019. These statistics show a 13% decline in female employment and a 15% decline in youth employment, underscoring a significant gap in the recovery of these groups.

Despite total employment in the tourism sector progressing and being expected to exceed 2019 levels by the end of 2024, the regeneration of jobs held by women and youth has not followed the same pace. The study emphasizes the urgent need to address this uneven recovery to ensure these groups are not left behind.

Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, highlighted the sector’s extraordinary potential to drive inclusive growth but also pointed out the significant barriers that women and youth still face:

“Women and youth are the backbone of our sector, but they continue to face significant barriers. This report highlights the urgent need for action to ensure these groups do not remain the most vulnerable in times of crisis.”

The report notes that, despite economic recovery, social recovery has been slower, especially for women and youth, who are still more likely to be trapped in informal, part-time, or poorly paid jobs, with limited opportunities for professional development. These jobs, often precarious, lack job security and real growth potential.

Furthermore, women continue to face underrepresentation in leadership positions within the sector, as well as a persistent pay gap compared to their male counterparts. For their part, youth, who make up a considerable proportion of the tourism workforce, face additional challenges in accessing stable and well-paying jobs, perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability.

The Role of Saudi Arabia in Promoting Inclusive Employment

In this context, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key player in promoting inclusive policies within the tourism sector. The Kingdom’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting youth and female employment in tourism, in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. This strategic plan aims to diversify the country’s economy and strengthen key sectors such as tourism while promoting equity and social inclusion.

Al Khateeb emphasized that, in 2022, the employment of Saudi women in the tourism sector was the fifth fastest-growing among G20 countries. He also highlighted the importance of localizing services in areas like AlUla and Diriyah, which has created new opportunities for women in heritage tourism, allowing more Saudis to become entrepreneurs in fields such as creativity, leadership, and digital skills.

“Our substantial investments for 2024 include 375 million riyals allocated to skills development and the training of local tour guides, which will enable greater knowledge of our nation’s rich history and landscapes,” Al Khateeb stated.

A More Equitable Future for Global Tourism

The WTTC report concludes with a call to action to address the inequalities in job recovery in the tourism sector. According to the latest EIR data, in 2023, the tourism sector’s contribution to global GDP increased by 29.1% above pre-pandemic levels, surpassing the global average, which still remains 4.1% below. However, this economic rebound has not been enough to close the social gaps that continue to disproportionately affect women and youth.

Simpson urged governments and the industry to learn from the lessons of the pandemic and implement policies that protect the most vulnerable groups in future crises:

“By investing in skills, promoting inclusive policies, and fostering entrepreneurship, we can unlock the full potential of these groups and ensure that our sector leads the way in creating meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities,” she concluded.

Ultimately, the report underscores the importance of transforming the tourism sector into a vehicle for inclusive development, capable of creating a more equitable and prosperous future for all, especially for women and youth who have been hit hard by the pandemic.