Spain: Tourism Employment Surpasses 2.92 Million Social Security Affiliates

International

Turespaña reports continued job growth in the tourism sector, which now accounts for 13.5% of total national employment

Tourism employment in Spain continues its upward trend after the end of the summer season. According to data from Turespaña, the number of workers affiliated with tourism-related activities reached 2,925,229 in September 2025, representing a 2.2% increase compared with the same month of the previous year. In absolute terms, 62,998 additional workers joined the sector in September. Across the Spanish labour market as a whole, which grew by 2.3% year-on-year, tourism employment represents 13.5% of total Social Security affiliates.

Growth Across All Tourism Activities

All branches of tourism recorded positive employment variations in September. The hospitality industry added 25,977 workers (13,148 in accommodation services and 12,829 in food and beverage services), while travel agencies registered an increase of 1,415 employees. Other tourism-related activities contributed an additional 35,606 workers.

Salaried Employment Outpaces Self-Employment

Salaried workers in the tourism sector—who account for 82.6% of all affiliated employees—grew by 2.5% in September compared with the same month in 2024. By activity, salaried employment increased in both travel agencies and tour operators (1.6%) and hospitality (1.6%). Within hospitality, employment rose 2.9% in accommodation services and 1.1% in food and beverage services.

Self-employment in tourism, representing 17.4% of the total workforce, grew by 0.8%. Within this category, self-employed workers in hospitality increased slightly by 0.2%, while travel agencies recorded a stronger 3.2% year-on-year rise.

Together, the hospitality and travel agency/tour operator sectors—representing 68.5% of all active Social Security affiliates in tourism—posted a 1.4% year-on-year increase in September.

Strongest Employment Growth in the Canary Islands and Valencian Community

Employment in hospitality and travel agencies/tour operators rose in nearly all autonomous communities, except Castilla-La Mancha, Navarra, Extremadura, and Aragón. In absolute terms, the largest increase occurred in Andalusia, with 7,527 new affiliates, while the most significant relative growth was recorded in the Canary Islands (+2.6%) and the Valencian Community (+2.5%).

For more detailed statistics, consult the full Turespaña Social Security Affiliation Report – September 2025.