The number of new job placements in the travel industry was at its highest level in 18 months in August, but the number of new candidates and vacancies fell from July.
According to C&M Travel Recruitment and C&M Executive Recruitment’s latest figures, the number of placements made in August rose by 33% against July 2021 to reach its best monthly figure since February 2020.
However, volumes remained down compared to pre-pandemic months, with 30% fewer placements in August 2021 than August 2019.
July 2021 had the highest volume of new candidates in three years, according to C&M, which reported a dip in activity in August.
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However, the number of candidates was the second-highest month recorded since January 2020.
The number of new travel job vacancies fell from July, and was 39% down on August 2019 levels. C&M said it was still the second highest month for vacancies since the pandemic began.
January-August 2021 had 37% more candidates than the same period in 2020, and the number of vacancies rose 29% year on year.
Barbara Kolosinska, director at C&M Travel Recruitment and C&M Executive Recruitment, said: “August is traditionally one of the quieter months of the year for travel recruitment because of the late summer holidays, so it’s no real surprise to see activity fall from the bumper month that we had in July.
“August was still the second busiest month since the start of the pandemic, but it will be very interesting to see what happens within the next couple of months as the furlough scheme ends.
“Many travel employees are still furloughed and, with the government seemingly unwilling to offer additional help, we will see just how detrimental this decision is to our industry in the coming weeks.”
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