The latest release of the Tourism Satellite Accounts by the Australian government reveals positive developments in the country’s tourism labor market. The data, based on experimental estimates, provides insights into the impact of COVID-19 on tourism activity during the first quarter of 2023.
According to the report, in March 2023, there were a total of 727,200 jobs in the tourism sector in Australia. This represents an increase of 43,700 jobs (6.4%) compared to the previous quarter in December 2022. Moreover, there was a substantial rise of 177,200 jobs (32.2%) compared to the same period in the previous year, March 2022.
However, when compared to the pre-pandemic levels in December 2019, there was a slight decline of 30,300 jobs (-4.0%). Nevertheless, tourism jobs still accounted for 4.8% of all filled jobs in the economy, illustrating the sector’s significance.
Analyzing the industry breakdown, the report indicates notable growth in various sectors. The cafes, restaurants, and takeaway food services industry experienced a significant increase of 20,400 jobs (8.5%) during the quarter. Retail trade also saw substantial growth with an additional 7,800 jobs (7.0%).
Education and training demonstrated remarkable progress, adding 6,500 jobs (21.7%). This reflects the sector’s adaptability and recovery following disruptions caused by the pandemic.
The report further highlights the distribution of employment in terms of full-time and part-time positions. In the first quarter of 2023, full-time jobs in tourism increased by 28,100 (8.0%), while part-time jobs rose by 15,600 (4.7%). Comparing March 2022 to March 2023, full-time jobs experienced significant growth of 38.2%, while part-time jobs increased by 26.3%.
Additionally, the data reveals gender dynamics in the tourism labor market. Jobs filled by females increased by 27,000 (7.3%) during the quarter, while jobs filled by males increased by 16,700 (5.4%). Similarly, comparing March 2022 to March 2023, jobs filled by males grew by 33.8%, and jobs filled by females increased by 31.0%.
These positive trends in the Australian tourism labor market indicate a gradual recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The growth in employment across various sectors reflects resilience and adaptability within the industry, providing hope for a stronger and more sustainable future.