The number of candidates being placed in new travel jobs rose by 30% year-on-year in December, latest data shows.
This was the first monthly December increase in what is traditionally the quietest month of the year since at least 2011, with a rise of 20% over November.
This came as the number of new candidates looking for jobs in the travel industry hit the highest December total for eight years. It was the most recorded for the month since December 2017, with an increase of two per cent from last December. But candidate numbers were down by 34% from November.
However, new travel vacancies dipped by 14% last month from December 2023, but were up by a quarter from the same month the previous year. Vacancies fell by 43% compared to November, according to C&M Travel Recruitment.
Company co-owner and managing director Barbara Kolosinska said: “It’s extremely rare to see a monthly increase in placements in December – in fact, we haven’t seen one in at least 14 years.
“We also saw an unusually strong number of candidates beginning their job hunt in the final month of last year, which is a great sign as we enter 2025.
“So far, the new year has got off to a positive start with early indications pointing to a month that is at least on par with last January.
“We have also heard many travel companies reporting strong sales during the peaks season, so we’re hoping to see consistent increases in demand for travel talent through the first few months of the year.”