Published on
October 2, 2025
As the travel and tourism sector experiences rapid expansion, China, India, and the European Union are facing critical workforce shortages that threaten to derail its future growth. These regions are struggling to meet the soaring demand for labor in the industry, driven by both demographic shifts and an increasingly tech-driven economy. In China and India, aging populations and shrinking workforces are exacerbating the gap, while the European Union is contending with similar challenges along with a growing need for low-skilled workers that are difficult to automate. The looming shortage of millions of workers, particularly in hospitality, coupled with the rise in automation, calls for urgent action in workforce planning, talent attraction, and skill development to ensure the sustainability and success of the sector in the coming decades. Without effective solutions, these regions risk undermining the potential of one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently released a significant report during its 25th Global Summit in Rome, warning of an impending labor shortage in the travel and tourism sector. The report highlights that, while the industry is expected to create 91 million new jobs by 2035, structural and demographic changes could lead to a gap of over 43 million workers unless urgent measures are taken to address workforce planning issues.
The report, titled Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce, draws on extensive global research, including surveys of business leaders and interviews with stakeholders across 20 major economies. It reveals a concerning trend in one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors, underscoring the need for strategic workforce planning to ensure the industry can meet its future labor demands.
In 2024, the travel and tourism sector is set to support a record 357 million jobs globally, with projections suggesting this number will increase to 371 million in 2025. Over the next decade, travel and tourism is expected to account for one in every three new jobs created worldwide. Despite this growth, the sector faces a looming workforce crisis. By 2035, the demand for labor in the sector is expected to exceed supply by 43 million, leaving staffing levels 16 percent lower than what is required to meet the needs of the industry.
The hospitality sector, in particular, is projected to face the sharpest labor shortfall. The report estimates that there will be a shortage of 8.6 million workers in hospitality, representing 18 percent of the staff needed. Low-skilled roles, which are still critical to the sector and are difficult to automate, will experience the greatest demand. More than 20 million additional workers will be needed worldwide to fill these roles, further exacerbating the workforce gap.
Among the 20 economies studied, some of the largest absolute workforce shortages are expected in China (16.9 million), India (11 million), and the European Union (6.4 million). These regions face the challenge of meeting the growing demand for workers in the travel and tourism sector while grappling with demographic shifts, such as aging populations and shrinking workforces.
In terms of relative workforce shortages, Japan is predicted to experience the most acute gap, with its labor supply expected to fall 29 percent short of demand by 2035. This will be followed by Greece, where the shortfall is forecast to be 27 percent, and Germany at 26 percent. These discrepancies highlight the differing challenges faced by countries based on their demographic profiles, economic conditions, and labor market dynamics.
To address these workforce challenges, the report advocates for a multi-faceted approach to ensure the sector can build a future-ready workforce. First and foremost, it calls for efforts to inspire young people to explore career opportunities within the travel and tourism sector. Given the diverse range of roles available, from hospitality and event management to digital marketing and environmental sustainability, there is a need to attract younger generations into the industry.
In addition to attracting new talent, the report emphasizes the importance of aligning training programs with the needs of the industry. As the travel and tourism sector becomes more digitally focused, there is a growing demand for workers with expertise in digital literacy, artificial intelligence, and sustainable practices. To meet these needs, the report urges the implementation of training programs that equip workers with the necessary skills to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven environment.
Moreover, the report highlights the importance of reducing barriers to recruitment and improving job retention in the sector. One of the main challenges facing the industry is the high turnover rate in certain roles, particularly in hospitality. To address this issue, the report suggests that the sector must implement policies that foster job security and employee satisfaction. This could include improving working conditions, offering competitive wages, and providing opportunities for career advancement within the industry.
The report also underscores the need for collaboration between governments, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders to address the workforce gap. Proactive workforce planning, including the development of targeted policies and the establishment of partnerships between public and private sectors, will be essential to ensuring that the travel and tourism sector remains a major driver of economic growth and job creation.
With the right planning and investment, the report suggests that the sector can overcome the projected workforce shortage and continue to contribute to global innovation, prosperity, and social development. By building a workforce that is equipped with the skills needed for the future, the travel and tourism industry will be better positioned to meet the challenges of tomorrow while continuing to provide economic opportunities for communities worldwide.
China, India, and the European Union are facing severe workforce shortages in the travel and tourism sector, driven by aging populations and shrinking workforces. If not addressed, these gaps could stifle the growth and sustainability of the industry.
The discussions held at the Global Summit in Rome, in partnership with various organizations, have placed workforce planning at the forefront of the global tourism agenda. As the sector continues to grow, ensuring a steady and skilled workforce will be critical to sustaining the momentum and maximizing the positive impact of travel and tourism on the global economy.
