Natalia Bayona, Executive Director, UN Tourism, speaking on the panel discussion: TALENT IN TRANSIT: FUTURE-PROOFING TOURISM’S WORKFORCE.
With global travel and tourism employment projected to reach over 371 million jobs in 2025, the sector faces a dual challenge: addressing urgent skill gaps while rebranding itself as a desirable, long-term career path. Post-pandemic workforce shifts and competition from other industries have heightened the risk of losing the next generation of talent. As technology reshapes roles and purpose drives career choices, how can tourism invest in education, reskilling, and upskilling—from digital fluency and sustainability to guest experience design — while repositioning itself as a dynamic, future-facing industry that attracts, retains, and inspires?
Natalia Bayona, Executive Director, UN Tourism, was speaking at TOURISE 2025
