Tourism employment increases by 9.3% in October compared to the same month prior to the pandemic, 2019

Tourism employment now accounts for 12.9% of total employment in the country's economy, which as a whole grew by 2.6% in this month (3% in the services sector). Compared to October 2019, the pre-pandemic benchmark, tourism employment growth was 9.3%.

For the acting Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, "tourism employment continues to perform excellently, even in what used to be called the low season, which indicates that our policies of deseasonalising visitor flows are bearing fruit".

Growth in the number of wage earners is again on the rise

In October, the increase in absolute terms was 115,807 new contributors compared to the same month in the previous year. This growth affects all areas of tourism activity and all branches of the sector.

While in hotels and catering the figure was 64,126 contributors (17,231 in accommodation services and 46,895 in food and beverage services), in travel agencies and tour operators it reached 4,981. Other tourism activities also recorded an increase of 46,700 workers.

In October, the number of salaried employees in the tourism sector, which represents 81.4% of total contributing workers in the sector, increased by 5.4% compared to the same month last year. Self-employment in tourism, which represents 18.6% of the total number of contributing workers, increased by 0.9 %.

For Héctor Gomez, "the fact that the percentage of salaried workers in the tourism sector continues to grow is synonymous with a labour market where quality, stability and an environment of respect for the rights of professionals are paramount. In short, an ecosystem that creates wealth for everyone, companies, professionals and citizens".

The Canary Islands, the fastest growing

In October 2023, employment in hotels and catering and travel agencies/tour operators as a whole increased in all regions.

In relative terms, the year-on-year increases in the Canary Islands (up 5.8%), Madrid (up 5.4%), Andalusia (up 4.7%) and Valencia (up 4.4%) stand out.

In absolute figures, the largest increases in October were in Andalusia (14,015 more affiliates), Madrid (12,779), Catalonia (10,265 more affiliates), the Canary Islands (9,087 more affiliates) and Valencia (with an increase of 8,381).

Non official translation