UNWTO warns of a new 'pandemic' in the tourism sector: skilled labor crisis

09-06-24

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has issued a crucial warning about an emerging problem in the global tourism sector: the lack of skilled labor, a situation they describe as a “pandemic” for the industry. This shortage of personnel is jeopardizing the sector's ability to meet growing post-pandemic demand, becoming a structural challenge affecting both local and international destinations.

The shortage of skilled workers in the tourism sector has transcended the borders of the Balearic Islands and has become a structural problem worldwide. The UNWTO, in its latest report on the outlook for the 2024 season, highlights that the lack of personnel continues to be a critical issue. The explosion in tourism demand following the pandemic has not been matched by a similar increase in labor availability, forcing companies to operate with tight staffing levels.