Skip to main content

Editorial JULY 2024

Travel Tipped For A Record-Breaking Future

Quick question. Did you happen to read the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) report?

No? Well, that makes two of us.

Fortunately for all of us, I got the general gist and basically it contains fantastic news across the board for the future of the travel industry.

The research forecasts that travel and tourism will contribute more to Australia’s economy in 2024 than any previous year on record.

After bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, the sector is poised to surpass its previous peak with a projected economic contribution of $265.5bn, representing 10 per cent of the Australian economy.

What’s more,

Show more

the sector is expected to maintain robust growth over the next decade, aligning with the global economy’s growth rate, and is projected to exceed $345bn by 2034.

It’s hard to believe we’ve come so far so fast when you remember the dark days of 2020 and 2021.

Employment within the industry has also recovered impressively. In 2023, jobs in the tourism and travel sector surged by nearly 10 per cent from the previous year, hitting 1.42m, representing 10 per cent of the national workforce.

WTTC’s latest research predicts a full recovery of jobs lost during the pandemic this year, with levels surpassing the 2018 peak by 2026.

Over the next decade, the sector is expected to support more than two million jobs, representing 12 per cent of all Australian employment.

And the good news just keeps on coming when you look at overseas spending by tourists visiting Australia.

Despite reopening its borders later than many other major destinations around the world, Australia saw spending by overseas visitors surge by nearly 195 per cent in 2023, ranking the country 10th globally for growth in international visitor spending.

Spending reached $31.6bn last year, with forecasts suggesting it will near $35bn this year and set a new record in 2025. By 2034, WTTC predicts international visitor spending will reach almost $52.5bn.

“Australia is set to break tourism records,” said Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, who will likely be here in October when the tourism body’s 24th Global Summit takes place in Perth.

“The Summit will highlight Australia’s dynamic growth, reflecting travel and tourism’s broader economic recovery and rising employment trends.”

Indeed, the WTTC is spruiking Australia as a global leader in tourism growth and economic resilience, predicting a future filled with promise and prosperity.

All of which makes for great reading. However, without wanting to be a Debbie Downer, there is one dark cloud on the horizon.

We need trained staff to handle this increased demand for travel and like many industries we just aren’t coming up with the numbers.

It’s estimated we lost a third of the travel agent workforce thanks to the pandemic and while a few of those who left have since returned its still nowhere near enough.

This skills shortage then puts more pressure on those still working in the sector, many of whom report having to turn paying customers away because they can’t cope with the extra workload.

In a classic Catch-22 situation, they also don’t have time to train the new staff members that they so desperately need.

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is petitioning government on this crucial issue.

“We’d like to see travel related occupations remain on the government’s priority list,” said Ingrid Fraser, ATIA Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, in an exclusive interview for this issue of Traveltalk (see The Skills Shortage Threatening Our Travel Industry)

“We’d also like to see a long term commitment from government for financial incentives for employers to take on trainees and we’d also like to see travel related occupations on the skilled migration list.”

The future for travel looks glorious. We just need the bodies to make it happen.

Show less

In this issue

Filter

Agenttalk

My Adventure At The Top Of The World

Glaciers, helicopters and cute dogs. ZOE CASSON from Travel Solutions Scone in New South Wales…
People In Travel

Meet Gentleman Jim, A King Of The Road

Often the best person to promote a new tour is the person who will actually…
Skytalk

How To Get The Perfect Airline Seat

Airline experts have revealed their top tips to getting the best seat at the cheapest…
Health & Wellness

Ringing The Healthy Changes At Bells

One of Australia’s top boutique hotels is running an inaugural wellness retreat for guests to…
Cruisetalk

Riding The Crest Of A Cruising Wave

It’s been one of the most eventful and controversial Wave seasons ever seen in the…
Agenttalk

The River Cruise That Changed Everything

DANA BROWN from TravelManagers reviews a recent game-changing luxury famil with Tauck through The Netherlands.
Domestic Travel

Enjoy A Touch Of Luxury In The Outback

One of Australia’s leading wilderness lodges is open for business following extensive refurbishments.
International Travel

My Top 10 Hits In Sri Lanka

JENNY ROWLAND joins an Inspiring Vacations famil for her first visit to Sri Lanka.
International Travel

Welcome To A Place “Like Nowhere Else”

Incredible scenery, historic castles and locals who love to share the craic. Here three Aussie…
People In Travel

Stacey Speaks The Plaine Truth

Award winning marketing specialist STACEY PLAINE is using her skills and experience to help more…
Traveltalk

Essential Safety Tips For Solo Travellers

JUSTINE WADDINGTON, founder of Encounter Travel, reveals some dos and don’ts for solos when they’re…
Skytalk

The Airline Piloting A Gender Equal Future

From a childhood dream to becoming the first female chief pilot for Air Tahiti Nui.…
Traveltalk

The Skills Shortage Threatening Our Travel Industry

Despite ever increasing demand from consumers travel agencies are being held back by one crucial…
Skytalk

Why We’re Feeling The LATAM Love

LATAM are relaunching daily direct Sydney to Santiago flights later this year. In this exclusive…
Health & Wellness

5 Top Retreats Around The World

From Asia to Africa, discovering the best health and wellness retreats around the globe is…
Luxury Travel

Royal Welcome For Glam New Hotel

Members of the Royal family and a host of A-list celebrities have joined more than…
Agenttalk

Follow me to Zhangjiajie!

BEN STINZIANI from Flight Centre Woden in the ACT went on a Wendy Wu mega…
Cruisetalk

Aussie Agents Tell It Like It Is

Four travel agents reveal their thoughts on two of Viking’s most popular European river and…
Luxury TravelNorth America

A Passage From The West On The Rocky Mountaineer

JENNY EVANS takes an unforgettable journey through Canada on one of the most famous and…
Other

Win A Luxury Stay In A Unique Australian Hotel!

The rehabilitation of the former HM Prison Pentridge from a cluster of derelict Heritage-listed buildings…
Propertytalk

Meet The New Face In Hilton’s Aussie Team

DANIELLA TONETTO has just been appointed to the position of Senior Commercial Director, Australasia for…
People In Travel

Let’s Put The Fun Back Into Travel

CHRISTIAN HUNTER is the new Chairman of the Board at the Australian Travel Industry Association.…
Domestic Travel

When Short Is Definitely The Sweet Option

AAT Kings have just launched their new Short Break tours to the Red Centre. Traveltalk’s…
International Travel

Tracking Down Hanoi’s Accidental Wonder

JAMES CROLL gets a very up close and personal view of Hanoi’s famous Train Street.
People In Travel

Meet The Cox Steering The APT Ship

DAVID COX has been with the APT Travel Group for almost four decades. In this…
Traveltalk

Full Steam Ahead For New Rail Range

Intrepid have just launched a new range of 40 train itineraries, including three brand new…
Health & Wellness

Take Your Body On A Journey

Indonesia’s most secluded earth-first resort has unveiled its 'Journeys to Wellbeing' offering with six new…
International TravelPropertytalkSouth East Asia

Why I’m Happy To Join This Cheerful Club

JENNY EVANS finds plenty of comfort and tropical extras at Club Med Cherating in Malaysia.
Food & Drink

Aussie Desert Restaurant Shines On The World Stage

It may be in the middle of the Red Centre but Uluṟu’s Tali Wiru is…
Agenttalk

Rotorua: Refreshed And Raring To Go

MARITA BEHRENDORFF from Aspire Travel & Cruise in Maryborough, Queensland, reviews a recent famil to…
International Travel

A Visit To Vancouver

JENNY EVANS takes to the pavement to explore one of Canada’s most fascinating cities.
Luxury TravelPropertytalk

A Golden Mirage Opening Down Under

Australia’s first mainland Luxury Collection property is scheduled to open in 2027.
Luxury Travel

Glam Resort Offers New Island Home

The first ultra-luxury resort on one of Greece’s most untapped islands has opened its doors.
Food & Drink

Enjoy A Five-Star Culinary Treat At The Palace

New gastronomic stay experiences have just been launched designed to peel back the layers of…
Food & Drink

Food Hub Serves Up Tourism Boost

The world’s first food wholesale hub has just opened, promising a year-round celebration of gastronomic…

Featured Stories

Filter

Agenttalk

The River Cruise That Changed Everything

DANA BROWN from TravelManagers reviews a recent game-changing luxury famil with Tauck through The Netherlands.
July 3, 2024
International Travel

My Top 10 Hits In Sri Lanka

JENNY ROWLAND joins an Inspiring Vacations famil for her first visit to Sri Lanka.
July 3, 2024
Skytalk

The Airline Piloting A Gender Equal Future

From a childhood dream to becoming the first female chief pilot for Air Tahiti Nui.…
July 3, 2024
Traveltalk

The Skills Shortage Threatening Our Travel Industry

Despite ever increasing demand from consumers travel agencies are being held back by one crucial…
July 3, 2024
Health & Wellness

5 Top Retreats Around The World

From Asia to Africa, discovering the best health and wellness retreats around the globe is…
July 3, 2024
Luxury TravelNorth America

A Passage From The West On The Rocky Mountaineer

JENNY EVANS takes an unforgettable journey through Canada on one of the most famous and…
July 3, 2024
Other

Win A Luxury Stay In A Unique Australian Hotel!

The rehabilitation of the former HM Prison Pentridge from a cluster of derelict Heritage-listed buildings…
July 3, 2024
People In Travel

Let’s Put The Fun Back Into Travel

CHRISTIAN HUNTER is the new Chairman of the Board at the Australian Travel Industry Association.…
July 3, 2024
Domestic Travel

When Short Is Definitely The Sweet Option

AAT Kings have just launched their new Short Break tours to the Red Centre. Traveltalk’s…
July 3, 2024