ACI Report 2026 Reveals Persistent Talent Pressures Across Asia Pacific’s Travel and Hospitality Sector

(TRAVPR.COM) SINGAPORE - February 4th, 2026 - Singapore, 04 February 2026 — Despite signs of stabilisation across the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector, workforce mobility and talent shortages continue to present significant challenges for employers, according to the newly released ACI Report 2026.

Based on insights from professionals across Asia Pacific and surrounding regions, the annual ACI Report provides a comprehensive overview of employment trends, salary movements, and workforce sentiment within the industry.

The 2026 findings show that unemployment has risen to 6%, up from 2% in the previous year, while 58% of respondents indicated plans to change employment in the next 12 months — underscoring continued volatility in the labour market.

While job security improved, with reported redundancies falling sharply to 3%, salary growth softened. Only 57% of respondents received a salary increase, although 59% reported receiving a bonus. Salary remains the leading motivator for job changes, cited by 34% of respondents.

Workplace preferences also continue to evolve. The report notes that 59% of employees are now working on-site, up from 54%, while 47% ranked work-from-home arrangements as the least important factor when considering employment decisions.

Regionally, the Middle East (UAE / Saudi Arabia) once again recorded the highest average salary at USD 212,744, while the report also highlights a persistent gender pay gap, with men earning 15.6% more on average than women.

Looking ahead, hiring sentiment has stabilised. Only 3% of hiring managers forecast redundancies, down significantly from 10% in the previous year, while 39% expect to add new headcount in 2026. However, employers continue to cite a shortage of qualified talent and rising salary expectations as key recruitment challenges.

“The data shows a workforce that is increasingly mobile, experienced, and selective,” said Andrew Chan, Founder & CEO of ACI HR Solutions. “While large-scale redundancies appear less likely, competition for skilled talent remains intense, and organisations will need to balance cost discipline with competitive remuneration and career development strategies.”

The ACI Report 2026 is designed to serve as a practical guide for employers, HR leaders, and professionals navigating the evolving talent landscape across the travel, tourism, hospitality, and lifestyle industries.

The full report is available at:

https://www.acihr.com/employers/salary-report

ENDS

About ACI HR Solutions

ACI HR Solutions is an award-winning specialist recruitment, executive search and professional training firm serving the travel, tourism, hospitality and lifestyle industries. Established in 2012, ACI was founded to address a clear market need for an industry-owned consultancy with deep operational insight and regional expertise across Asia Pacific. Trusted by leading organisations, ACI connects high-performing talent with employers through best-practice recruitment processes and a commitment to growing the industry one talent at a time.

For more information and media enquiries, please contact: pr@acihr.com

###