Travel & Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries and offers many fantastic opportunities for a great career. According to figures from WTTC the industry supports 277 million jobs and generates 9.8 per cent of world GDP. In the UK hospitality currently has a 3 million strong workforce and, in the run up to the general election, is being recognised as a key contributor to the UK economy.
In this briefing four experts discuss hospitality careers and share why they fell in love with the industry:
Key political parties in the UK have mentioned hospitality and tourism in their election manifesto’s, with each pledging to support the sector through various means. The recognition for this suburb industry has been welcomed by the British Hospitality Association, an organisation which campaigns for jobs and growth in the industry. The organisation is campaigning for 60,000 new job opportunities for young people in the UK by 2016 and has recently reached the 40,000 milestone. A report from the TourismAlliance, UK Tourism Statistics 2014, states that, ‘Tourism is the fastest growing sector in the UK in employment terms, responsible for almost one third of the net increase in UK jobs between 2010 and 2013.’
According to UNWTO one job in tourism generates 1.5 jobs elsewhere. UNWTOs publication Measuring Employment in the Tourism Industries says; ‘International tourism continues to exceed expectations, supporting economic growth in both advanced and emerging economies and bringing much needed support to job creation, GDP and the balance of payments of many destinations.’
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Video clips produced by yBC for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.