The number of workers starting new jobs in travel has slumped to the lowest level in more than a year, figures show.
April’s total, down by 41% compared with March, was the lowest since December 2021, according to statistics from C&M Travel Recruitment.
Managing director Barbara Kolosinska suggested the 16-month low was largely because hiring managers took time off.
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She said: “April was the slowest month for travel recruitment that we have seen for some time. Much of this downturn can be attributed to Easter, which appeared to have a larger impact on activity than usual, with many decision-makers taking time off during the month.”
The recruitment figure was down by 64% on April last year and 47% lower than in April 2019.
April also saw a dip in the number of vacancies and candidates.
Vacancies, down by 49% compared with March, fell to their lowest level since December. The total was down by 61% compared with last April, up by 67% on April 2021 and down by 47% compared with April 2019.
The number of candidates, which hit a five-year high in March, fell by 38% in April. However, the figure was 10% higher than in April last year, up 39% on April 2021 and up by 9% on April 2019.
Kolosinska said: “After a historic year for travel recruitment, 2023 has had a much more mixed start, with placements and vacancies both increasing in two of the first four months of the year and falling in the other two.
“With quality candidates still being in short supply, it is vitally important that we do all we can to entice talent to work in the industry by making our new job opportunities as exciting, well-paid and attractive as possible.”
She added that this month is looking “much more positive” compared with April, despite the bank holidays.
Figures are drawn from vacancies advertised with C&M Travel Recruitment. Set up in 1998, it describes itself as the “largest and most successful specialist travel recruitment company in the UK”.
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