Eurostat:

The tourist accommodation sector employs 2.3 million in the European Union

 

The importance of the tourism industry for economic, social and cultural development in Europe and the role of tourism as a driver of development and socio-economic integration are generally acknowledged. This publication takes a look at the contribution made by the tourism industry to the labour market in the EU, focusing on the pattern of employment in the tourist accommodation sector.

 

Highlights:

• The tourist accommodation sector accounts for more than 25% of employment in the hotels, restaurants and catering (horeca) sector and for slightly over 1% of the entire labour market in the EU.

• With a relatively high share of female workers (60%) and of workers with low formal educational qualifications (36%), tourist accommodation is a source of jobs for certain at-risk groups on the European labour market. Nevertheless, the jobs tend to be less stable.

• The tourism industry is strongly affected by seasonal influences, leading to – on average across the EU – 10% more employment in the summer season.

• Regions attracting large numbers of tourists very often have an unemployment rate below the national average.