The total number of July job placements was the highest figure for the month since C&M’s job index began in 2012 – rising 149% from July 2021, 74% from July 2019, 49% from July 2018, 5% from July 2017 and 8% from July 2016.

Recruitment last month saw a 5% rise from June – with July’s number of placements the fifth highest since November 2017.

The volume of new candidates searching for travel jobs also remained historically high in July with a 2% rise from the previous month.

Despite being down by 24% from July 2021 (which was the highest number in the past four years), last month’s figure was up by 45% from July 2019 and up by 44% from July 2018.

Meanwhile, the number of new travel jobs being created in July 2022 increased by 14% from June. This figure was down by 19% from July 2021, but grew by 14% from July 2019.

Barbara Kolosinska, managing director of C&M Travel Recruitment and C&M Executive Recruitment, said that while July traditionally results in a dip for job activity, July 2022 saw vacancies, placements and new candidates all rise from the previous month. 

“This is the first time this has happened since July 2012 and demonstrates the sheer level of demand that the travel industry has for talent at the moment,” she said.

"August is usually the industry’s quietest month for recruitment outside of December, so it will be interesting to see if it also defies historical trends – and early indications suggest that it will be another very healthy month."