Travel & Tourism will remain one of the world’s most powerful job creators over the next decade, but the industry faces a structural challenge that could leave it short of more than 43 million workers by 2035, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council.
The Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce report, launched at the WTTC Global Summit in Rome, forecasts that the sector will generate 91 million new roles by 2035, accounting for one in three net new jobs worldwide. In 2024, the industry already supported a record 357 million jobs, rising to 371 million in 2025.
Yet demand is set to outpace supply. Hospitality alone faces an expected shortfall of 8.6 million workers, while low-skilled, people-facing roles will be hardest to fill, with more than 20 million additional workers needed. The largest absolute gaps are projected in China (16.9M), India (11M) and the EU (6.4M). In relative terms, Japan (-29%), Greece (-27%) and Germany (-26%) will face the steepest shortages.
The Pros: Travel & Tourism is a proven economic driver, offering unmatched opportunities for employment across geographies and skill levels. By 2035, no other sector will contribute such a high share of global job creation.
The Cons: Shrinking working-age populations, rising competition for labour, and the lingering effects of pandemic-era workforce losses mean the sector risks falling behind without urgent intervention. Automation will not be able to replace many of the human-centred roles at the heart of hospitality.
The report calls for collaboration between governments, educators, and industry to inspire young people, invest in skills, and align training with employer needs. Initiatives in digital literacy, leadership development, and flexible recruitment are seen as vital to closing the gap.
The Bottom Line: Tourism’s potential as a workforce engine is immense, but unless demographic and structural challenges are addressed, the very sector that fuels global connectivity and prosperity could face a talent crisis just as demand reaches historic highs.