100m jobs return: WTTC

IN SOME much needed optimism for the industry, more than 100 million jobs could be restored globally in the travel and tourism sector by the end of year, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts.

The industry body notes in its latest analysis that under a best case scenario, travel and tourism could recoup more than 111 million jobs, with this best case contingent on widespread vaccination programs and the swift adoption of test and trace systems from countries all over the world.

The most optimistic scenario would also need travel to start its recovery from Mar and see coherent coordination between the public and private sectors.

“Our latest research...shows there is definitely hope on the horizon for the global travel and tourism sector in the year ahead,” said WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara.

“This projected outcome will come as a huge relief and be welcomed as the beginning of the long-awaited recovery, for a sector which has for so long suffered the brunt of hugely damaging travel restrictions.”

However, under the WTTC’s most conservative projections, travel and tourism would only restore 84 million jobs globally, and still have 25% fewer active positions than in 2019.

Under its worst case scenario, WTTC forecasts the start of the international travel recovery will be pushed back to Jul, with vaccines rolling out more gradually, which in turn would slow the pace of restrictions easing and depress booking confidence and demand.