Business · Economy · 23 hrs ago
Spain’s tourism sector added 166,204 jobs in a year
Spain’s tourism sector had 3.25 million workers in the third quarter of 2026, according to figures based on the national Labour Force Survey.
That was 166,204 more jobs than a year earlier, a rise of 5.4%.
Tourism accounted for 14.2% of all jobs in Spain’s economy.
Most major tourism activities added workers, while the reported 2.6% fall in travel agencies reflected a change in job classification, not actual job losses.
Permanent jobs rose 8.4%, and they made up 82.7% of tourism employees on wages; temporary work grew more slowly and its share fell.
Employment grew in ten regions, with Castilla-La Mancha recording the biggest regional increase, while Andalucía and the Canary Islands saw declines.
The figures show strong growth in tourism work, but its temporary-work rate of 17.3% remained above the 15.4% rate for Spain’s economy overall.
Spain’s tourism sector had 3.25 million workers in the third quarter of 2026, up 166,204 from the same period a year earlier.
Tourism jobs grew by 5.4% year on year and accounted for 14.2% of all jobs in Spain.
Most major tourism-related industries recorded employment growth, while travel agencies reported a 2.6% decline attributed to changes in the industry classification.
Permanent contracts made up 82.7% of tourism employees and grew for the 21st consecutive period.
Employment rose in ten autonomous territories, with Castilla-La Mancha recording the strongest regional growth at 22%.
- Who
- Spain’s tourism-sector workers, as counted by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism using the Labour Force Survey.
- What
- The sector added 166,204 jobs in a year, reaching 3.25 million workers.
- When
- The figures cover the third quarter of 2026 and were announced on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Spain.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Spain’s tourism sector had the comparison-period employment level used in the year-on-year figures.
Tourism-sector employment reached 3.25 million, up 166,204 from a year earlier.
The Ministry of Industry and Tourism announced the figures based on the Labour Force Survey.
- Tourism-sector workers
- 3.25 million in the third quarter of 2026
- Year-on-year job increase
- 166,204
- Share of Spain’s jobs
- 14.2%
- Permanent contracts
- 82.7% of tourism-sector employees
- Strongest regional growth
- Castilla-La Mancha, 22%