Ministers from G20 members and guest countries as well as principals of the European Commission (EC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) met recently in Antalya.
The meeting focused on the capacity of tourism to promote more and better jobs, in particular for women and youth as a means to reduce inequalities at national and international level and promote inclusive and robust growth.
Tourism accounts for almost 10% of the world’s GDP, 6% of global trade and one in eleven jobs in the world. The sector is one of the most dynamic and resilient economic activities and has a significant potential to create jobs. ‘Accommodation and restaurants’, together with other ‘private sector services’ are expected to create jobs at the fastest rate of any sector in the economy for the next five years.
Ministers recalled that tourism creates jobs at all skills levels, not only directly in the sector, but through its value chain in many other sectors. Tourism accounts for a higher share of women’s employment and entrepreneurship as compared to the whole economy and creates employment opportunities for young people, thus contributing in a decisive way to reduce youth unemployment.
In line with the overall priorities of Turkish G20 Presidency, the three “i”s – Inclusiveness, Investment for growth and Implementation –Tourism Ministers of the G20 members and invited countries focused on existing challenges and opportunities of tourism to create jobs and promote entrepreneurship.
Ministers agreed to advance the links between the private sector, the public sector and education and training institutions to address the gaps between training needs and market requirements and support policies that promote decent work in tourism, entrepreneurship, gender equality and youth employment.
Furthermore, Tourism Ministers decided to promote policies appropriate to national circumstances that advance decent work in tourism including improving wage-setting mechanisms, institutions for social dialogue, social protection systems, employment services and active labour market policies.
Recalling the contribution of tourism in aid for development, Ministers also agreed to enable cooperation between developing countries and G20 countries in tourism as a means to promote inclusive economic opportunities and job creation, with a particular focus on women’s education and empowerment;
In supporting the objectives of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting, Ministers highlighted the capacity of tourism to foster job creation among women and youth as well as the role of SMEs, which make up the most of the tourism sector. In this respect, Ministers agreed to “promote the links between tourism and trade policies to enhance the access of SMEs to international markets and promote the integration of SMEs into the global economy” and “define goals and indicators to promote gender equality in tourism employment”.
