Travel agencies are the worst-hit part of the travel and tourism sector in the European Union, with a 30% shortfall of workers this summer.
The figure comes from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the European Travel Commission (ETC), which estimate that 1.2 million travel and tourism jobs across the EU will remain unfilled unless urgent action is taken – putting the sector’s recovery at “serious risk”.
In 2020, when the pandemic was at its peak, the sector lost almost 1.7 million jobs in the EU.
As travel restrictions and travellers’ confidence improved in 2021, the sector recovered 571,000 jobs.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “Europe showed one of the strongest recoveries in 2021, ahead of the global average.
“However, current shortages of labour could delay this trend and put additional pressure on an already embattled sector.
“Governments 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.”
While travel agencies are the worst-hit sector with almost a third of vacancies unfilled this summer, air transport and accommodation segments are likely to suffer one in five unfilled vacancies, representing 21% and 22% of staff shortages respectively.
Luis Araujo, ETC president, added: “Europe, as the leading and most competitive tourism destination in the world, is committed to becoming the most sustainable one.
“But the goal of the twin transition (green and digital) will only be achieved if we succeed in attracting and retaining talent for this sector.”