An unexpected surge in travel sector employment metrics emerged in July, despite the month’s historically low activity.
- Job vacancies increased by 12%, hitting their peak since March.
- Candidate searches soared, posting a 19% rise compared to June and 9% year-on-year growth.
- New candidate numbers for July were the second-highest since 2017.
- Job placements grew by 13% month-on-month despite a significant yearly drop.
In a month traditionally marked by subdued recruitment activity in the travel industry, July defied expectations by posting an uptick in job-related metrics. Despite being a quieter period due to holiday absences, the travel sector saw unexpected growth in employment figures.
Data reveals a 12% rise in job vacancies, marking their highest point since March, which is significant for July, historically a slow month. This growth indicates a potential rebound in the sector’s employment needs, possibly paving the way for future developments.
Candidate activity mirrored this trend, with a substantial 19% increase in job searches from June. Moreover, there was a 9% year-on-year growth in candidate numbers, suggesting heightened interest in travel sector opportunities this summer.
Remarkably, the influx of new candidates for July reached the second-highest tally since 2017, affirming the travel industry’s appeal amid the evolving job market dynamics. This points towards a strong pool of professionals ready to reintegrate into the sector.
Job placements also experienced a noticeable boost, seeing a 13% growth compared to the previous month. However, despite this monthly improvement, there remains a 36% decrease in placements compared to last year, highlighting ongoing challenges.
Barbara Kolosinska from C&M Travel Recruitment commented on these trends, noting the atypical nature of July’s figures: “With many decision-makers on holiday, this rise in jobs and placements is extremely welcome.” Yet, she warned that volumes have not regained last year’s heights, urging optimism tempered with caution going into the autumn months.
July’s results suggest a promising start to recovery in travel employment, with sector dynamics likely to evolve further.
