C&M Travel Recruitment’s activity index recorded an increase in candidates being placed in new travel jobs for second consecutive month in June, although the 3% increase is down significantly on the same period last year (-52%) and remains down on pre-pandemic levels (-30% versus June 2019 and -50% versus June 2018).

June saw a small month-on-month dip in the number of new candidates searching for travel jobs, down 11% compared with May. Compared with June 2022, though, the deficit was just 1%, and the rate remains up against June 2021 (+11%), June 2019 (+21%) and June 2018 (+16%).

The number of new travel jobs created in June, meanwhile, fell by 40% compared with May, with June vacancy numbers down 27% year-on-year compared with 2022, down 28% compared with June 2019 and 29% compared with June 2018.

Barbara Kolosinska, C&M managing director, said: "It’s always great to see a rise in the number of candidates being placed in new travel roles – and while activity levels are down from last year, this allows us to spend more time focusing on each role and finding the perfect candidate for each company.

"Things have now reduced to a more manageable level from 2022, and with salaries continuing to rise, there are many, many fantastic opportunities out there for quality applicants.

"With summer now in full flow, we expect activity to remain around this level until everything picks up in September – leaving an excellent gap in the market for any travel company in the position to start their recruitment drive earlier than their competitors."