KOCHI:
Tourism, one of the world’s largest economic sector has experienced continued expansion and diversification. The annual analysis evaluating the global economic and employment impact of travel and tourism in 185 countries and 25 regions, the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) research reveals that the sector accounted for 10.4 percent of global GDP and 319 million jobs which is 10 percent of global employment in 2018. Domestic tourism representing 71.2 percent of all tourism spending in 2018 was contributed by developing nations.
The continuous growth of the sector has enabled job creation offering one in every ten jobs worldwide. Tourism industry has proved to be a dynamic engine of employment opportunities particularly supporting women, youth and marginalised groups of society. Across the world Travel & Tourism has almost twice as many lady employers and employees than any other sectors presenting women with more opportunities in workforce participation, leadership, entrepreneurship and empowerment particularly in developing countries. To promote more opportunities World Tourism Day 2019 on 27th September will be themed on the topic ‘Tourism and Jobs’- A better future for all’.
‘Kerala’s position on the tourism map of South Asia has been strengthened in the last few years with the large format events and leisure travel, and we see more growth for the state. The increase in number of women employees in the tourism and hospitality industries has added a dynamic opportunity for us,” adds Shrikant Wakharkar, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty’.
