The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is a global organization that represents the travel and tourism industry. As per their vision for the next decade, they aim to create more job opportunities in the industry. The WTTC believes that the travel and tourism industry has a vast potential for job creation, which can positively impact economies worldwide.
What is WTTC’s Vision?
According to WTTC’s research, the travel and tourism industry has created 319 million jobs globally, which accounts for one in ten jobs worldwide. The organization aims to create an additional 100 million jobs in the next ten years. This ambitious goal will require collaborative efforts from governments, private sectors, and other stakeholders.
The WTTC believes that job creation will be possible through sustainable practices such as reducing carbon emissions and promoting responsible tourism. To achieve this goal, the organization has set out four key areas of focus:
1. Prioritizing People
The WTTC believes that prioritizing people is crucial to creating more job opportunities in the travel and tourism industry. They suggest investing in education and training programs to upskill workers and prepare them for future jobs in the industry.
Education & Training Programs
The organization advocates for educational institutions to design courses catering to skill development required by the industry. This initiative will not only benefit individuals but also help bridge the gap between available skills vs demand.
2. Supporting SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are essential contributors to economic growth worldwide. The WTTC aims at supporting SMEs by providing them with better access to finance, technology, and innovation.
Better Access To Finance
Accessing finance is often a hurdle faced by SMEs globally; thus, initiatives like providing low-interest loans or helping them with crowdfunding can boost their growth prospects.
3. Promoting Innovation
Innovation is crucial to the growth of any industry, and the WTTC aims to promote innovation in the travel and tourism industry. They suggest investing in technology and digital transformation to create new job opportunities.
Investing In Technology
Emerging technologies like virtual reality, AI, and blockchain can transform the travel experience for customers worldwide. By investing in these technologies, companies can create new job opportunities while improving customer experiences.
4. Focusing On Destination Stewardship
Destination stewardship involves preserving natural resources and promoting sustainable tourism practices. The WTTC believes that promoting destination stewardship is essential to creating more job opportunities in the industry.
Sustainable Tourism Practices
Promoting sustainable tourism practices like reducing carbon emissions, minimizing plastic usage, and supporting local communities can help preserve natural resources while creating more job opportunities for locals.
Conclusion
The WTTC’s vision for creating 100 million jobs in the travel and tourism industry is an ambitious goal that requires collaborative efforts from governments, private sectors, and other stakeholders. Prioritizing people, supporting SMEs, promoting innovation, and focusing on destination stewardship are crucial areas of focus that can help achieve this goal. By adopting sustainable practices like reducing carbon emissions and promoting responsible tourism practices globally, we can create a better future for generations to come.