Many economies around the world rely heavily on tourism. The pandemic has hit the travel industry hard as the steady growth that was seen for years, something that many people depended upon for work and income is now at a pause; this is including the seasonal work during summer when tourism is particularly high. Here are some shocking statistics below:
- Travel industry revenue dropped by $4.5 trillion between 2019 and 2020. The sector is expecting a $1.4 trillion increase this year. However, that still doesn’t come anywhere near the 2019 numbers, and it is primarily dependent on domestic rather than international travel.
- A 31.7% growth rate is anticipated for 2022. While this would be a rapid growth rate during a normal year, it is still not enough to recover completely from the losses between 2019 and 2020.
- There were 62 million jobs that disappeared from the travel industry during 2020. In 2021, the industry is on pace to add 0.7% to the existing jobs, just a fraction of the lost jobs from the previous year.
So what could give the travel job market the boost it needs? Recommendations include more travel freedoms for the fully vaccinated, digital solutions to prove negative COVID status, international vaccine recognition and agreement from health authorities that travel is safe with the enhanced protocols in place.
Gearing Your Hotel Up for a Return to Travel
A1 American is here to help with top-quality supplies for the hospitality industry. We also offer essential care products to protect your staff and guests during the pandemic. Call 833.205.2200 today to get in touch with a friendly A1 American representative and learn more as well as place your order today.