Employment in the tourism sector represented approximately 13.7% of the total affiliates in the Spanish economy in September. According to data published by Turespaña, the number of affiliates linked to tourism activities rose by 136,415 individuals, surpassing 3 million workers. This reflects a 4.7% increase compared to the same month last year.
In relation to the overall labour market, which grew by 3.4% year-on-year, tourism employment accounted for 13.7% of total affiliates. The increase in affiliates was particularly notable in the hospitality sector, which saw an addition of 88,413 affiliates, including 23,922 in accommodation services and 64,491 in food and beverage services. Conversely, travel agencies experienced a decline, losing 1,351 workers.
It is important to clarify that the decrease in travel agency employment does not indicate a real loss, as it has been influenced by changes in the National Classification of Economic Activities (CNAE), which have reclassified some activities previously listed under 'travel agencies' into other categories.
In September, the number of salaried workers in the tourism sector, which represents 83.2% of the total, increased by 5.2% compared to the same month last year. By activity sector, salaried employment fell in travel agencies and tour operators (down 1.2%), while it rose in hospitality by 5.2%, with identical increases in accommodation and food and beverage services. Meanwhile, self-employment in tourism, which accounts for 16.8% of total affiliated workers, grew by 1.9%. In hospitality, there was a 1.3% increase, primarily due to a 16.9% rise in accommodation services. However, travel agencies saw a year-on-year decrease of 3.5% in the number of self-employed workers, also influenced by the CNAE changes.
In September, employment across hospitality, travel agencies, and tour operators increased in all Autonomous Communities. In absolute terms, the largest increase was observed in Catalonia, with 16,475 more affiliates. In relative terms, the greatest rise occurred in the Valencian Community at 6%, followed by Castilla-La Mancha at 5.5% and Catalonia at 5.2%.
