Europe’s hospitality industry spans jobs, local spending, and visitor experiences across EU countries. On this page, you’ll see how hotel and tourism demand has rebounded—covering international arrivals, major-country performance, and the scale of employment. We also track sustainability progress, including emissions reductions and rising adoption of eco-certified and zero-waste or Green Deal-aligned practices, alongside shifting consumer expectations.
Key Takeaways
- EU Europe had 7.2 million hotel beds available in 2023 across 45,000 establishments
- France boasts 18,000 hotels with 1.2 million beds occupancy rate 65% 2023
- Spain hotel room count 950,000 with average occupancy 72% in 2023
- EU hospitality employed 12.5 million people in 2023 representing 5.6% of total employment
- France hotel sector employed 1.2 million workers in 2023
- Spain's hospitality workforce totaled 2.8 million in 2023 up 5% YoY
- In 2023, the European hospitality industry generated €1.2 trillion in total revenue, representing 10% of the EU's GDP
- Germany's hotel sector alone contributed €45 billion to national GDP in 2022
- France's hospitality industry saw a 15% YoY revenue growth in 2023 reaching €92 billion
- 65% of EU hotels adopted sustainability measures in 2023
- Europe's hospitality carbon footprint reduced 12% since 2019 to 150 MtCO2e 2023
- 75% consumers prefer eco-certified hotels EU 2023 survey
- EU welcomed 747 million international tourist arrivals in 2023 recovering to 94% pre-pandemic
- France received 100 million visitors in 2023 top destination
- Spain 85 million tourists in 2023 spending €108 billion
In 2023, Europe’s hospitality employed 12.5 million people and earned €1.2 trillion, while sustainability adoption surged.
Related reading
01 · Category
Accommodation & Hotels27 stats
01
EU Europe had 7.2 million hotel beds available in 2023 across 45,000 establishments
02
France boasts 18,000 hotels with 1.2 million beds occupancy rate 65% 2023
03
Spain hotel room count 950,000 with average occupancy 72% in 2023
04
Germany 40,000 hotels 2.1 million beds RevPAR €110 in 2023
05
Italy 33,000 hotels 1.1 million beds occupancy 68% summer 2023
06
UK 50,000 hotels 1.5 million rooms ADR £120 in 2023
07
Europe's Airbnb listings exceeded 2.5 million active in 2023
08
Netherlands 10,000 hotels 250,000 beds occupancy 75% 2023
09
Austria 25,000 establishments 600,000 beds 80% peak occupancy 2023
10
Switzerland 8,500 hotels 250,000 beds ADR CHF 250 2023
11
Portugal 17,000 hotels 400,000 beds 70% occupancy 2023
12
Greece 10,000 hotels 800,000 beds summer occupancy 85% 2023
13
Sweden 20,000 hotels/cabins 300,000 beds 65% occupancy 2023
14
Denmark 1,200 hotels 60,000 rooms RevPAR DKK 1,000 2023
15
Finland 1,500 hotels 70,000 rooms winter occupancy 60% 2023
16
Norway 4,000 hotels 120,000 rooms ADR NOK 1,500 2023
17
Poland 25,000 hotels 500,000 beds occupancy 68% 2023
18
Czech 12,000 hotels 300,000 beds Prague 85% occupancy 2023
19
Hungary 10,000 hotels 250,000 beds Budapest 75% 2023
20
Romania 8,000 hotels 200,000 beds Black Sea 80% summer 2023
21
Bulgaria 3,500 hotels 150,000 beds 90% Black Sea peak 2023
22
Croatia 15,000 hotels/apartments 700,000 beds 85% Adriatic 2023
23
Europe luxury hotels 15% of total supply 1.1 million beds 2023
24
EU mid-range hotels average RevPAR €90 in 2023
25
Budget hotels grew 10% in room count to 1.5 million Europe 2023
26
EU Europe saw 450 million overnight stays in hotels 2023 up 8%
27
Serviced apartments in Europe totaled 800,000 units 2023
Interpretation
Accommodation & Hotels Interpretation
Across Europe, Accommodation and Hotels have grown to 7.2 million hotel beds in 45,000 establishments in 2023, with standout occupancy levels like Spain’s 72% and Italy’s 68% showing strong demand that helps explain why Germany’s RevPAR still reached €110 that year.
02 · Category
Employment & Labor26 stats
01
EU hospitality employed 12.5 million people in 2023 representing 5.6% of total employment
02
France hotel sector employed 1.2 million workers in 2023
03
Spain's hospitality workforce totaled 2.8 million in 2023 up 5% YoY
04
Germany's tourism employment 3.5 million in 2022 7.8% of workforce
05
Italy hospitality jobs 2.1 million in 2023 9% of total employment
06
UK hospitality employed 3.7 million in 2023 10% of jobs
07
Europe's food & beverage sector jobs 11 million in 2023
08
Netherlands tourism employment 700,000 in 2022 8% GDP linked jobs
09
Austria hotel staff 250,000 full-time equivalents in 2023
10
Switzerland hospitality workforce 450,000 in 2023
11
Portugal employed 400,000 in hospitality 2023 8.5% workforce
12
Greece tourism jobs 1.1 million seasonal and permanent 2023
13
Sweden hospitality employment 300,000 in 2023
14
Denmark 150,000 jobs in hotels and restaurants 2023 5.5%
15
Finland tourism employment 140,000 in 2023 up 3%
16
Norway hospitality jobs 190,000 in 2023
17
Poland 1.2 million hospitality workers 2023 7%
18
Czech Republic tourism employment 500,000 in 2023
19
Hungary 350,000 jobs in HORECA 2023
20
Romania hospitality employed 600,000 in 2023 6.5%
21
Bulgaria 250,000 tourism jobs mostly seasonal 2023
22
Croatia 200,000 employed in hospitality 2023 peak season
23
Europe hotel employment 6.8 million direct jobs in 2023
24
EU female employment in hospitality 55% of total 1.4 million women in hotels 2023
25
Youth under 25 hold 25% of hospitality jobs in EU 3.1 million 2023
26
Part-time workers 30% of EU hospitality workforce 3.75 million 2023
Interpretation
Employment & Labor Interpretation
In Europe, hospitality employment is substantial and still growing in key markets, with the sector employing 12.5 million people across the EU in 2023 and Spain’s hospitality workforce reaching 2.8 million workers in 2023, up 5% year over year, underscoring how central Employment and Labor are to the industry’s resilience.
03 · Category
Market Size & Revenue30 stats
01
In 2023, the European hospitality industry generated €1.2 trillion in total revenue, representing 10% of the EU's GDP
02
Germany's hotel sector alone contributed €45 billion to national GDP in 2022
03
France's hospitality industry saw a 15% YoY revenue growth in 2023 reaching €92 billion
04
Spain's tourism-related hospitality revenue hit €195 billion in 2023, up 12.5% from 2022
05
Italy's hospitality market valued at €110 billion in 2023 with hotels accounting for 55%
06
The UK hospitality sector revenues reached £120 billion in 2023 post-pandemic recovery
07
Europe's foodservice segment within hospitality grew to €450 billion in 2023
08
Netherlands hospitality industry GDP contribution was 5.2% or €28 billion in 2022
09
Austria's hotel and restaurant sector revenue surged 18% to €22 billion in 2023
10
Switzerland hospitality revenues totaled CHF 55 billion in 2023
11
Portugal's hospitality market expanded to €25 billion in 2023 driven by tourism boom
12
Greece hotel revenues reached €12.5 billion in 2023, up 20% YoY
13
Europe's overall hospitality market size projected at €1.5 trillion by 2028 CAGR 4.2%
14
Belgium's hospitality sector generated €18 billion in 2022
15
Sweden hospitality revenues hit SEK 250 billion in 2023
16
Denmark's industry contributed DKK 100 billion to GDP in 2023 approx 4%
17
Finland hospitality market valued at €10 billion in 2023
18
Norway's sector revenues reached NOK 200 billion in 2023
19
Poland hospitality grew to PLN 120 billion in 2023
20
Czech Republic's market size €15 billion in 2023
21
Hungary tourism hospitality revenue €8 billion in 2023 up 15%
22
Romania's sector hit €7.5 billion in 2023
23
Bulgaria hospitality revenues €4.2 billion in 2023
24
Croatia's industry generated €14 billion in 2023
25
Europe's luxury hospitality segment valued at €250 billion in 2023
26
Midscale hotels in Europe generated €300 billion revenue 2023
27
Budget hospitality market €180 billion across Europe 2023
28
Europe's event hospitality (MICE) revenue €120 billion 2023
29
Restaurant revenues in EU27 totaled €650 billion in 2022
30
Europe's hospitality TTV (total tourism value) €2.1 trillion in 2023
Interpretation
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
Across Europe’s hospitality market, revenue is rebounding and expanding fast, with overall industry sales reaching €1.2 trillion in 2023 and standout national surges like France’s 15% YoY growth to €92 billion and Spain’s tourism-linked hospitality revenue rising to €195 billion.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sustainability & Trends21 stats
01
65% of EU hotels adopted sustainability measures in 2023
02
Europe's hospitality carbon footprint reduced 12% since 2019 to 150 MtCO2e 2023
03
75% consumers prefer eco-certified hotels EU 2023 survey
04
EU Green Deal compliance 40% hotels by 2023 zero waste pilots
05
Water usage in EU hotels down 15% avg 300L/guest/night 2023
06
50% restaurants EU source local produce 2023 up from 35% 2020
07
Renewable energy in hospitality facilities 25% EU avg 2023
08
Plastic ban impact zero single-use plastics 90% EU hotels 2023
09
EU digital booking share 70% hospitality 2023 OTA dominance
10
Contactless payments 85% transactions hotels 2023 post-COVID
11
AI personalization used by 40% large chains EU 2023 RevPAR +8%
12
Bleisure travel 30% bookings EU 2023 hybrid work trend
13
Wellness tourism market €150 billion EU 2023 CAGR 7%
14
Experiential travel demand up 25% bookings 2023 EU
15
Food tourism 35% travelers EU prioritize 2023
16
EV charging stations hotels 20,000 EU 2023 up 50%
17
Net zero pledges 60% major chains EU by 2030 announced 2023
18
Overtourism protests 15 cities EU 2023 sustainability push
19
Labor shortage 1.5 million vacancies hospitality EU 2023
20
Online reviews influence 90% bookings EU 2023 TripAdvisor data
21
Mobile check-in 55% hotels EU 2023 adoption
Interpretation
Sustainability & Trends Interpretation
Sustainability is quickly becoming mainstream in European hospitality, with 65% of EU hotels adopting sustainability measures in 2023 and water use falling 15% to about 300 liters per guest night, showing that practical environmental improvements are accelerating alongside rising demand for eco-certified stays.
05 · Category
Tourism Flows26 stats
01
EU welcomed 747 million international tourist arrivals in 2023 recovering to 94% pre-pandemic
02
France received 100 million visitors in 2023 top destination
03
Spain 85 million tourists in 2023 spending €108 billion
04
Italy 60 million arrivals 2023 mostly Italy/France border
05
Germany 40 million overnight foreign stays 2023
06
UK inbound tourism 40 million visitors 2023 £32 billion spend
07
Netherlands 20 million tourists 2023 €20 billion expenditure
08
Austria 32 million arrivals 130 million overnights 2023
09
Switzerland 42 million overnights foreign guests 2023
10
Portugal 26 million tourists 2023 €24 billion revenue
11
Greece 32 million arrivals 2023 €20 billion from abroad
12
Sweden 15 million foreign tourists 2023
13
Denmark 12 million international arrivals 2023
14
Finland 4 million foreign tourists 2023 Lapland boom
15
Norway 10 million foreign overnights 2023
16
Poland 22 million tourists 2023 mostly from Germany
17
Czech Republic 15 million foreign visitors 2023
18
Hungary 12 million arrivals 2023
19
Romania 6 million foreign tourists 2023
20
Bulgaria 9 million arrivals summer 2023
21
Croatia 20 million tourists 110 million nights 2023
22
Germans top EU tourists 150 million trips abroad 2023
23
Brits 70 million overseas trips 2023 mostly Europe
24
Intra-EU tourism 500 million trips 2023 70% total
25
EU domestic tourism overnights 1.2 billion 2023
26
Total EU overnights 2.8 billion in 2023 up 10%
Interpretation
Tourism Flows Interpretation
Tourism flows rebounded strongly across Europe in 2023 with the EU welcoming 747 million international arrivals and recovering to 94% of pre pandemic levels, led by major destinations like France with 100 million visitors and Spain with 85 million tourists spending €108 billion.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Elif Demirci. (2026, February 13). European Hospitality Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/european-hospitality-industry-statistics
MLA
Elif Demirci. "European Hospitality Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/european-hospitality-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Elif Demirci. 2026. "European Hospitality Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/european-hospitality-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
71 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level