Travel and Tourism In India Witnesses 44% Annual Jump in Hiring: Report

India's leading talent platform has published the latest findings around travel & tourism recruitment trends in India. As per data from foundit, the Indian tourism industry has witnessed a 44% increase in talent demand annually in August 2023. This optimistic growth can be attributed to increased disposable incomes and higher spending on leisure and business travel in the country.

Pre-pandemic trends indicate that the travel & tourism sector experienced a robust 16% growth in 2019. However, the pandemic presented significant obstacles for the industry, which saw a 47% fall in job postings in 2020 and a 27% dip in 2021 due to widespread travel restrictions and lockdowns. While the industry began to bounce back with a marginal 3% hiring upswing in 2022, it has dramatically recovered this year as people regain confidence in travel and several notable government initiatives. Moreover, India's affordable wellness industry is renowned worldwide and has substantially boosted medical tourism.

Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, a Quess company said, “The Travel & Tourism industry has truly bounced back from the pandemic with a boom, driven significantly by Government initiatives focused on infrastructural development and heritage promotion. India has also opened its doors by allowing 100% FDI for tourism construction projects, and participation in the G20 summit has further bolstered sustainable tourism in the country. Notably, emerging technologies such as AI and AR/VR are playing a role in driving growth and enhancing visitor experiences in the industry, promising to continue shaping the future of Indian tourism. Looking ahead, the industry must adapt to changing traveller demands by offering unique, sustainable, and well-promoted experiences. The key is to focus on niche segments with high growth potential, such as wellness, adventure, sustainability, and cultural tourism. By tailoring offerings to these specific markets, the industry can continue to thrive and prosper.”

Hiring activity in the Travel & Tourism industry, according to foundit

Roles in demand across Travel & Tourism

As per data from foundit, the top job roles in demand across the Travel & Tourism industry include Sales & Business Development (23% share of total demand), Engineers- Software, Electrical (12% share) and Marketing & Communication (8% share). Job roles such as Chefs (5% share) and Medical Representatives (5% share) also accounted for a considerable share of overall demand.

Tier-2 cities led online hiring demand for Travel and Tourism in August 2023

City-specific trends for the Travel & Tourism industry revealed that on a year-on-year basis, tier-2 cities such as Jaipur (34%), Ahmedabad (33%), and Chandigarh (33%) reported a maximum increase in job postings followed by Baroda (25%) and Coimbatore (25%) in Aug 2023 as compared to Aug 2022. This phenomenon can be credited to the rise of tier 2 cities as prominent talent hubs, thanks to their swift infrastructural expansion, huge talent pools with a wide range of skill sets, and the cost-efficient nature of operations.

Among metropolitan cities, Delhi (34%) showcased maximum incline with regards to job postings followed by Kolkata (21%), Chennai (19%), Hyderabad (8%) and Mumbai (5%).

Freshers accounted for the highest demand share in Travel & Tourism across experience levels

As of August 2023, 49% of online hiring intent for jobs in the Travel and tourism industry came from postings for Freshers/Entry Level Talent (0-3 years). Companies are opting to hire freshers for cost-efficiency, and adaptability as well as for their readiness to adapt to a constantly evolving travel industry. Cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) have had a substantial impact on fostering industry growth and elevating visitor experiences prompting companies to hire freshers who are increasingly digitally savvy. Furthermore, demand for Intermediate level (4-6 years) and Top Management (15+ years) both accounted for a 14% share of the overall demand, respectively.

The average minimum salaries range from  ₹ 288696/- to ₹ 580234/- for freshers. ₹5,29,516 -  ₹8,20,734 for intermediate professionals, ₹ 8,70,833/- to ₹14,11,556/- for mid senior roles and ₹12,19,515 - ₹18,55,291 for management professionals.

Salary trends in the travel & tourism industry in INR

Considering the damaging impact of the pandemic which involved layoffs and economic downturns, many businesses are now investing in digital transformation and technology to recruit and retain employees. Newer approaches include embracing the gig model to overcome the talent deficit and fulfil the growing tourist demand in the travel sector. Data from Foundit suggests there has been a 14% growth in gig roles since January 2023.

The nature of tourism often involves seasonal fluctuations in demand, and the model of gig work is able to match these fluctuations, especially during peak seasons or for special events. Gig workers also help companies manage labour costs more efficiently during slower periods. Given the diverse and specialized needs of the travel & tourism industry, gig roles in the space include tour guides, translators, photographers, and event planners who are brought in on a per-project basis ensuring that the industry has access to the right expertise when it is needed.