August 2023 saw a significant increase in new travel job-seekers, marking the busiest August since 2017.
- Despite a 19% increase in candidates, new job vacancies decreased by 32% from July.
- August remains a quiet month in travel recruitment, yet shows a rise in active job-seekers.
- A downturn of 11% in total candidates compared to July was noted.
- The upcoming months are expected to be busier as decision-makers return.
In August 2023, the travel industry experienced a notable surge in the number of new job-seekers, with a 19% rise compared to the previous year. This surge made it the busiest August since 2017 for travel job placements, despite the typical distractions of summer holidays. However, this increase in candidates was juxtaposed with a decline in available job vacancies, which fell by 32% from July.
The month of August traditionally stands as the second quietest period in the travel recruitment calendar, trailing only behind December. During this time, there was a decrease of 19% in candidates being placed in new travel roles from July, and a substantial 29% drop from August 2023. Such a discrepancy illustrates the continued challenge in aligning candidate availability with suitable vacancies.
Barbara Kolosinska, managing director at C&M Travel Recruitment, commented on the seasonal trends, highlighting that August is consistently one of the calmest months in the recruitment market due to numerous individuals opting for end-of-summer getaways. Despite these trends, Kolosinska noted a silver lining with the unprecedented number of active job-seekers.
With the return of decision-makers and potential job-seekers to their regular routines post-holidays, there’s an anticipation of heightened recruitment activity. Kolosinska remains optimistic about the coming months, suggesting that the strong pool of applicants seen in August is a positive indicator for future placements. She underscores the opportunity for employers to recruit eager candidates poised for the right roles and companies.
The travel industry’s future recruitment landscape looks promising as both employers and job-seekers return to a more active market.
