Travel and tourism face major workforce shortfall by 2035

The travel and tourism sector is on track to create one in three new jobs worldwide by 2035, but a new report warns of a looming workforce crisis. The Future of the Travel and Tourism Workforce by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) finds that demographic and structural shifts could leave the sector short of more than 43 million workers globally if action is not taken.According to the report, in 2024, the sector supported 357 million jobs and is expected to generate 91 million additional roles over the next decade. However, labour supply is projected to fall 16% short of demand by 2035, it said.According to the report, the hospitality industry faces an expected gap of 8.6 million workers, around 18% below the staffing levels needed. Low-skilled roles, which remain critical to the sector, will remain the most sought after, with a need for more than 20 million additional workers projected. Positions that rely heavily on human interaction and services that cannot be easily automated will remain in high demand.WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara called the report a “call to action,” urging governments and educators to collaborate on closing the gap. The report stressed that while travel and tourism remain a global job engine, strategic investment in training, retention, and workplace design is critical to securing its future.Namibia’s tourism sector is set for major restructuring under the proposed National Spatial Development Master Plan, which targets an increase in direct tourism jobs from 57 000 to 80 000 by 2030.

Travel and tourism face major workforce shortfall by 2035

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-27

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Travel and tourism face major workforce shortfall by 2035

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Namibian Sun 2026-07-27

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