Forget the image of tourism as just a vacation; this massive economic engine is truly the world's employer, directly supporting one in ten jobs globally and creating a vibrant landscape of opportunity for women, youth, and entire communities.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, global tourism directly supported 27.4 million jobs, accounting for 9.1% of total employment worldwide
- The travel and tourism sector contributed 10.4% to global GDP in 2023 through direct, indirect, and induced employment impacts, supporting 330 million jobs overall
- Pre-pandemic in 2019, tourism employed 319 million people globally, representing 10% of all jobs
- Asia-Pacific region employed 147 million people in tourism in 2023, 11.5% of regional employment
- Europe saw 23.1 million direct tourism jobs in 2023, representing 6.4% of total employment
- In the Americas, tourism supported 30.2 million jobs in 2023, or 9.8% of employment
- In the accommodation subsector globally, 12.5 million people were employed in 2023
- Food and beverage services in tourism employed 15.2 million worldwide in 2023
- Passenger transportation (air, rail, road) supported 11.8 million jobs globally in 2023
- Global tourism employment grew by 7.2% in 2023 compared to 2022
- Tourism jobs are projected to grow 3.8% annually through 2033 globally
- Post-COVID recovery saw tourism employment rebound 15% in 2023 from 2021 lows
- Globally, 54% of tourism workers are women, compared to 40% economy-wide
- 35% of tourism employees worldwide have only secondary education or less
- Migrants comprise 22% of the tourism workforce in OECD countries
Tourism drives huge global job growth, significantly boosting youth and women's employment.
Global Overview
- In 2023, global tourism directly supported 27.4 million jobs, accounting for 9.1% of total employment worldwide
- The travel and tourism sector contributed 10.4% to global GDP in 2023 through direct, indirect, and induced employment impacts, supporting 330 million jobs overall
- Pre-pandemic in 2019, tourism employed 319 million people globally, representing 10% of all jobs
- In 2022, direct tourism employment recovered to 88% of 2019 levels, with 24.2 million direct jobs worldwide
- Tourism's total employment contribution globally stood at 284 million jobs in 2022, or 9.2% of global employment
- By 2033, tourism is projected to support 449 million jobs globally, 12.3% of total employment
- Women represent 47% of the global tourism workforce, higher than the 39% average across all sectors
- Youth aged 15-24 make up 28% of tourism employees worldwide
- In 2023, tourism generated US$11.1 trillion in global GDP, supporting one in ten jobs worldwide
- Direct employment in tourism reached 28.6 million jobs in 2023 globally, up 4.8% from 2022
- In 2023, global direct tourism employment hit 27.4 million, 9.1% of total jobs
- Total tourism GDP contribution was US$10.5 trillion in 2023, supporting 330m jobs
- 2019 peak tourism jobs: 319 million total, 10% global employment share
- 2022 direct jobs: 24.2 million, 88% recovery from 2019
- 284 million total jobs in 2022 tourism, 9.2% worldwide
- 2033 forecast: 449 million jobs, 12.3% of employment
- Female share in tourism: 47% vs 39% all sectors
- Youth (15-24) 28% of tourism jobs globally
- US$11.1T GDP from tourism 2023, 1 in 10 jobs
- Direct jobs growth 4.8% in 2023 to 28.6m
Global Overview Interpretation
Tourism isn't just about your vacation snapshots; it's the serious business of being the global economy's surprisingly nimble, youth and women-empowering, ten-trillion-dollar-plus employer that's nearly back from a pandemic punch and itching to hire even more of the world by 2033.
Regional Breakdown
- Asia-Pacific region employed 147 million people in tourism in 2023, 11.5% of regional employment
- Europe saw 23.1 million direct tourism jobs in 2023, representing 6.4% of total employment
- In the Americas, tourism supported 30.2 million jobs in 2023, or 9.8% of employment
- Middle East tourism employment totaled 4.8 million jobs in 2023, 7.2% of regional total
- Africa had 10.9 million tourism jobs in 2023, accounting for 8.5% of continental employment
- In 2023, the United States tourism sector employed 9.2 million people directly, 5.8% of national workforce
- China’s tourism industry supported 79 million jobs in 2022, 10.2% of total employment
- France recorded 2.8 million tourism jobs in 2023, 9.1% of employment
- Spain’s tourism employment reached 3.4 million in 2023, 13.6% of total jobs
- Australia employed 1.1 million in tourism in 2023, 8.3% of workforce
- APAC: 147m tourism jobs 2023, 11.5% regional
- Europe direct: 23.1m jobs 2023, 6.4%
- Americas: 30.2m jobs 2023, 9.8%
- Middle East: 4.8m jobs 2023, 7.2%
- Africa: 10.9m jobs 2023, 8.5%
- US direct: 9.2m 2023, 5.8%
- China: 79m jobs 2022, 10.2%
- France: 2.8m jobs 2023, 9.1%
- Spain: 3.4m 2023, 13.6%
- Australia: 1.1m 2023, 8.3%
Regional Breakdown Interpretation
While Asia-Pacific leverages tourism to employ a continent-sized workforce, Spain cleverly crams over an eighth of its entire economy into serving sangria and sun-loungers.
Sector-Specific Employment
- In the accommodation subsector globally, 12.5 million people were employed in 2023
- Food and beverage services in tourism employed 15.2 million worldwide in 2023
- Passenger transportation (air, rail, road) supported 11.8 million jobs globally in 2023
- Travel agencies and tour operators employed 4.3 million in 2023 worldwide
- Attractions and entertainment sectors had 8.7 million tourism jobs in 2023
- Retail trade linked to tourism employed 9.1 million globally in 2023
- In hotels and accommodation, 45% of employees were women in 2022 globally
- Airlines directly employed 2.7 million people worldwide in 2023
- Cruise lines supported 1.2 million jobs in 2023, mostly indirect
- Accommodation global: 12.5m employed 2023
- F&B services: 15.2m jobs 2023
- Passenger transport: 11.8m 2023
- Agencies/tours: 4.3m 2023
- Attractions: 8.7m 2023
- Retail tourism: 9.1m 2023
- Hotels women: 45% 2022
- Airlines: 2.7m direct 2023
- Cruises: 1.2m jobs 2023
Sector-Specific Employment Interpretation
While the world busily argues over which industry truly drives the global economy, these statistics suggest the humble tourist, in their eternal quest for a decent meal and a clean bed, is quietly writing paychecks for millions, proving that wanderlust is perhaps the most prolific—and hungry—employer of all.
Trends and Projections
- Global tourism employment grew by 7.2% in 2023 compared to 2022
- Tourism jobs are projected to grow 3.8% annually through 2033 globally
- Post-COVID recovery saw tourism employment rebound 15% in 2023 from 2021 lows
- By 2024, global tourism employment expected to surpass 2019 levels by 2%
- Youth unemployment in tourism dropped 12% in 2023 due to sector recovery
- Automation projected to displace 5 million tourism jobs by 2030
- Sustainable tourism initiatives created 2.1 million green jobs in 2023
- Remote work trends boosted tourism employment in rural areas by 18% since 2020
- Overtime hours in tourism averaged 12% above sector norms in peak 2023 season
- 65% of tourism jobs recovered fully by end-2023 in advanced economies
- Gig economy platforms added 3.4 million tourism-related jobs globally since 2020
- Employment growth 7.2% 2023
- Annual growth proj 3.8% to 2033
- Recovery 15% from 2021 in 2023
- 2024 surpass 2019 by 2%
- Youth unemp drop 12% 2023
- Automation displace 5m by 2030
- Green jobs 2.1m 2023
- Rural boost 18% since 2020
- Overtime 12% above norm 2023
- 65% recovery advanced econ 2023
- Gig jobs +3.4m since 2020
Trends and Projections Interpretation
The global tourism job market is roaring back to life with impressive post-pandemic recovery stats, though its future promises a complex dance between promising growth, the disruptive shadows of automation, and a welcome shift towards sustainability and flexible work.
Workforce Demographics
- Globally, 54% of tourism workers are women, compared to 40% economy-wide
- 35% of tourism employees worldwide have only secondary education or less
- Migrants comprise 22% of the tourism workforce in OECD countries
- Average age of tourism workers is 38 years globally, younger than 42 in manufacturing
- Part-time workers make up 28% of tourism employment worldwide
- In Europe, 62% of hotel staff are female
- 18% of global tourism workers are aged 50+
- Ethnic minorities represent 31% of US tourism workforce
- 47% of tourism jobs require no prior experience globally
- Women 54% tourism global
- Education secondary or less 35%
- Migrants 22% OECD tourism
- Avg age 38 years tourism
- Part-time 28% global
- Europe hotels female 62%
- 50+ workers 18%
- US minorities 31% tourism
- No experience needed 47%
Workforce Demographics Interpretation
Tourism’s workforce is a vibrant, accessible, yet demanding mosaic—powered largely by a young, female, and often transient or part-time global crew, offering doors wide open for newcomers but with many paths still needing better support and permanence.
Sources & References
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