The current labour shortage could have serious implications on the recovery of Europe\u2019s travel and tourism sector, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the European Travel Commission (ETC).<\/p>\n
According to the industry bodies, close to 1.2 million jobs across Europe will remain unfilled during the summer period, with travel agencies forecasted to be the hardest hit with a 30 per cent shortfall of workers.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the air transport and accommodation segments are likely to suffer one in five unfilled vacancies, representing 21 per cent and 22 per cent staff shortage respectively.<\/p>\n
WTTC president and CEO, Julia Simpson said: \u201cEurope showed one of the strongest recoveries in 2021, ahead of the global average. However, current shortages of labour can delay this trend and put additional pressure on an already embattled sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernments and the private sector need to come together to provide the best opportunities for people looking for the great career opportunities that the travel sector offers,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
In 2020, at the peak of the pandemic, close to 1.7 million jobs (direct employment) were lost across Europe\u2019s travel sector. As governments eased restrictions and borders reopened in 2021, the sector\u2019s direct contribution to the region\u2019s economy recovered by 30.4 per cent and recovered 571,000 jobs, according to WTTC.<\/p>\n
This year, WTTC projects the sector\u2019s recovery will continue to accelerate and almost reach pre-pandemic levels, but only if \u201curgent action\u201d is taken to address the labour shortfall.<\/p>\n
Together with ETC, the council urged governments to implement new policies to facilitate labour mobility across borders. <\/p>\n
The industry bodies also called upon the private sector to offer comprehensive training to upskill workers and adopt digital solutions to improve daily operations.<\/p>\n
ETC president, Luis Araujo, said attracting and retaining new talent is one of the sector\u2019s \u201cbiggest challenges\u201d and requires a \u201ccoordinated, multi-layered and joint (public and private)\u201d response. <\/p>\n