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NEWS
VACANCIES IN TRAVEL & TOURISM THREATEN UK RECOVERY SAYS WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) warns the Travel & Tourism sector’s recovery is at serious risk as nearly 130,000 jobs go unfilled across the UK.
According to the global tourism body, the UK is expected to see a shortfall of 128,000 jobs, with one in 14 job openings expected to remain vacant. Restaurants and hotels are struggling to find staff but the UK government, unlike countries like Portugal, are refusing to allow in temporary workers from overseas.
The UK’s hotel, entertainment and aviation industries are forecast to be the worst affected, facing unfulfilled vacancies of 􏰀􏰁% (one in six), 􏰀􏰂% (one in eight), and 􏰀􏰀% (one in nine), respectively.
Critical staff shortages are now acute within transportation - particularly across the aviation industry - which is struggling to cope with the post-pandemic travel demand. Before the pandemic in 2019, 1.8 million people were employed in Travel & Tourism in the UK - by 2020, over 200,000 had lost their jobs.
During the second half of 2022, data indicates that labour supply will continue to fall short of demand - with the gap projected to further increase in the third quarter of 2022 as demand approaches pre-pandemic levels.
The WTTC has revealed that up to 1.2 million jobs across the EU will remain unfulfilled, with hospitality, air transport and travel agencies being the most affected.
DARREN PHILLIPS...
VIEW FROM
THE NORTH EAST
Hi guys
Another summer is upon us and things are busy, busy, busy. Not exactly like the good old days but getting there slowly and it’s well overdue.
I have always loved the buzz of the summer booking season. It just creates a great atmosphere and time goes by so quickly - before you know it, it’s October half-term time!
This month I was at the Yorkshire Ball in Leeds. Sandy does a great job of organising this event, something she has done for the last 23 years! It is always a great night and I love catching up with everyone, but Sandy, I have just one request... please let the hotel put the air conditioning on next year!
I have had a great time these last few months being back out on the road for Craig and Kelly at Flexireps on behalf of Princess Cruises and now for Major Travel, who have been trading in the industry for 48 years.
Their top three destinations include the USA, Dubai and the Maldives. With over 500,000 hotels in over 120 countries across the world, they have something for everyone -
from pre-packaged tours to bespoke tailor-made complex itineraries. They don’t sell to the public either so you have complete peace of mind that your clients can’t go direct.
Well as much as I would love to stop on here and chat away, I have agents to visit and goodies to drop off! So hopefully I will be coming in to see you very soon!
Happy selling guys,
Darren
QATAR TOURISM LAUNCHES ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAMME
Qatar Tourism has launched a new, interactive agent online training course - Qatar Specialist Programme - replacing the current Tawash programme.
The programme aims to provide trade partners with the relevant knowledge and tools to promote and sell Qatar internationally more effectively.
Comprising several modules covering history, heritage, attractions and experiences, the programme allows participants flexibility, letting them complete each module at their own pace. Features include interactive maps
and knowledge check quizzes.
Vice President of
International Markets,
Philip Dickinson, said:
“The Qatar Specialist
Programme is
another step towards
supporting the global
travel trade industry
in working alongside
Qatar Tourism to help drive significant growth in annual international visitor arrivals and welcoming six million visitors a year by 2030.”
Agents who complete the full course will receive exclusive Qatar Specialist benefits and receive insider tips, itineraries and the latest information on accommodation and attractions.
To register for the Qatar Specialist Programme and become a Qatar Specialist, visit www.qatarspecialist.qa
36 travelmatters.biz