Data published on Tuesday (24 October) by C&M Travel Recruitment shows the number of jobs made available in September fell compared against both the previous month, August 2023, and the same month last year, September 2022.

Applicant levels, meanwhile, increased slightly month-on-month in September.

However, according to the new figures from C&M, the number of job openings went down by 45% in September compared with August levels, and plunged by 53% compared with September 2022. 

The research has also shown that placement levels plummeted by 13% to their lowest figure this year, despite a 3% rise in the number of applicants.

"Travel recruitment activity remains slower than we would traditionally expect at this time of year, but that also means there are fantastic opportunities for employers to access a wider talent pool by advertising their upcoming vacancies immediately,” said C&M managing director Barbara Kolosinska. 

Last month’s figures are in stark contrast to the previous two months, which saw a surge in the number of available jobs and a fall in the number of candidates. 

In August, C&M Travel Recruitment data reported a 40% jump in the number of new travel jobs, while July saw a 46% surge. Candidate levels were nevertheless on a downward trajectory, falling by 4% and 18% in July and August respectively.