BERLIN / HAMBURG - According to's analysis the drop in the pound’s value has meant that the United Kingdom has seen record numbers of tourists this year, with British Tourist Authority chairman Steve Ridgway commenting that the industry is now worth £127bn annually to the economy. With this in mind, job meta-search engine Joblift has analysed the UK’s tourism job market and has seen that this increase in visitors and spending has relayed into a 2% growth in tourism jobs in Britain.
Tourism job vacancies increase at the same rate the UK average, with Northern Ireland seeing the largest growth
Joblift’s studies show that around 335,131 job vacancies in the tourism sector have been posted in the UK in the last 12 months. These jobs have seen an average monthly increase of 2% – a growth which is on par with the average monthly increase for the UK’s job market as a whole. While the effects of tourism are widespread, it is unsurprising to learn that the UK’s most popular tourist destination, London, dominates vacancies with a 29% share of all tourism jobs posted. Manchester ranks in second place with 4% of all vacancies, and, with a 3% share, Birmingham comes in third. Interestingly, when looking at the UK on a wider basis, Northern Ireland has seen the highest average increase; the country has recorded an 11% average monthly growth, five times the rate of England.
Joblift’s studies show that around 335,131 job vacancies in the tourism sector have been posted in the UK in the last 12 months. These jobs have seen an average monthly increase of 2% – a growth which is on par with the average monthly increase for the UK’s job market as a whole. While the effects of tourism are widespread, it is unsurprising to learn that the UK’s most popular tourist destination, London, dominates vacancies with a 29% share of all tourism jobs posted. Manchester ranks in second place with 4% of all vacancies, and, with a 3% share, Birmingham comes in third. Interestingly, when looking at the UK on a wider basis, Northern Ireland has seen the highest average increase; the country has recorded an 11% average monthly growth, five times the rate of England.
Hotels are the industry's largest employers accounting for over three quarters of all vacancies
Hotels are the largest employers in the tourism job sector by far with 77% of all job vacancies in the last 12 months being hotel-based. Given their dominance in job vacancies, the most sought after professions in the sector reflect the most advertised positions in hotels. Chefs are the most requested position accounting for 22% of all listings, followed by receptionists with 5%, with restaurant managers ranking in third place with 3%. Given the rise of online holiday booking sites, the future of travel agents has been a much debated issue in recent times. However, Joblift’s analysis shows that while around 8,000 vacancies have been posted, there has actually been an average monthly increase of 5% in these travel agent positions in the last 12 months.
Hotels are the largest employers in the tourism job sector by far with 77% of all job vacancies in the last 12 months being hotel-based. Given their dominance in job vacancies, the most sought after professions in the sector reflect the most advertised positions in hotels. Chefs are the most requested position accounting for 22% of all listings, followed by receptionists with 5%, with restaurant managers ranking in third place with 3%. Given the rise of online holiday booking sites, the future of travel agents has been a much debated issue in recent times. However, Joblift’s analysis shows that while around 8,000 vacancies have been posted, there has actually been an average monthly increase of 5% in these travel agent positions in the last 12 months.
Huge growth in the luxury tourism sector while jobs associated with marine tourism suffer
According to Joblift, jobs in the luxury tourism sector have made up 20% of all UK tourism vacancies in the last 12 months. This rapidly growing division of tourism (which includes hotel and catering vacancies in five star establishments) has seen an average monthly increase of 13% – almost seven times the growth of the tourism sector as a whole. Whilst luxury tourism positions are increasing rapidly, the vacancies are harder to fill than roles in other areas of the sector. Luxury tourism vacancies stay active online for 19 days, four days longer than the entire sector average. Interestingly, while jobs in marine tourism make up 3% of all vacancies, demand for cruise and marine associated job positions have seen a 12% decline since October last year. In comparison, airline and flight based vacancies have seen a 2% increase in the last 12 months, while accounting for just 2% of all jobs posted.
