Key facts 

• According to the UNWTO, tourism accounts for around 10% of global employment, meaning approximately 330 million people work in the sector. 

• Despite an 8% increase in tourist numbers since 2023, employment in the industry grew by only 5%. 

• Seasonal jobs make up 80% of employment, with many workers facing temporary or unstable contracts. 

• Poor labour regulations and low wages remain critical issues, even in profitable sectors like luxury hotels, where long shifts and inadequate pay are common. 

Here we share some key tips to improve the protection and well-being of employees in this expanding sector:

As tourism expands, labour policies must ensure fair distribution of benefits, improving salaries, job security, and working conditions for all industry employees. 

Explore how tourism can promote respect for human rights on the website of the non-profit association and initiative Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism, which provides practical tools and resources to help tourism companies implement human rights due diligence.