The surge in travel after the pandemic has led to travel employment picking up. Reports by Trevolution Group peg a 37% rise in travel sales in the first three quarters of 2023. It also highlights that outbound tourism from India has increased by 179% from January to September.

This rise in activity is also leading to a spurt in hiring. But what kind of employment is this unlocking, specially at senior levels?

The travel sector is going through a period of transition, particularly at the senior leadership level, says Nirupama VG, Founder, AdAstra Consultants. “In 2023, we witnessed an unprecedented number of C-suite exits, which posed challenges to business continuity. As we move into 2024, the demand for CEOs and CXOs in the travel industry is growing, further fuelled by Budget 2024’s significant boost to tourism. This boost is expected to increase the sector’s contribution to India’s GDP by $250 billion by 2030 and create employment for 137 million individuals. Underscoring the sector’s resilience and its adaptability to the evolving atmosphere,” she says.

Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, Vice President and Business Head, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, says people are looking at leadership roles in sales, marketing, technology, F&B, customer service and supply chain. These segments are opening up to drive new business growth, brand experience, customer acquisition, customer engagement and operational efficiency.

What skills are needed across multiple types of roles

Nirupama says large domestic conglomerates and companies are actively seeking top-tier leadership to steer them through tough times. “This heightened search for senior-level executives is not just about filling vacancies, it is about envisioning the future of travel in India and globally. While the overall job market may remain cautious, the strategic importance of leadership roles in the sector has never been more pronounced, especially with the exponential growth anticipated in areas like spiritual and medical tourism due to the recent budgetary allocations,” she says.

Mahanta lists some of the other roles that will see an increased demand as AI specialists, data operations personnel and cybersecurity experts. “Using the data acquired through many touchpoints and digitising the experience to give predictive customer engagement will become the focal point. In addition, with the surge in visits, roles in guest experience as well as event management will become even more prominent. At the same time, to establish a distinct brand identity and for driving customer acquisitions, skills in sales as well as online and offline marketing will play a critical role. At the back end, skills required to bring in operational efficiency will lead to talent hunt for specialists in supply chain management, financial operations and liasoning,” he says.The vice-president of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship clarifies that graduates or diploma holders with good communication skills will be a key requirement. For support staff, apprenticeships will play a huge role in sales and marketing executive roles, F&B division as well as front desk services.

What kind of companies are hiring

Mahanta says, “Traveltech, where AI and automation will play a critical role in providing end-to-end personal as well as work travel assistance, is expected to drive demand in AI and automation-related roles. Hospitality industry is expected to see pan-functional hiring to build capabilities in customer growth, loyalty and satisfaction. The tour and travel industry is also expected to witness requirements predominantly in blue collar hiring.”

Taking a longer term view, Nirupama says the high chief executive resignations last year signalled a shift towards new leadership dynamics with focus on innovation, digital transformation and sustainability. The budget push would now lead to a spurt in recruitment in this industry. “As we assist in these high-level searches, the goal is not only to find leaders who can navigate current challenges but also to envision and implement strategies that will define the future of travel,” she adds.