Hospitality sector to create 600,000 new jobs this summer and boost the country's economy
The summer of 2024 bodes well for the hospitality sector as it adapts to new consumer trends and strengthens employment and tourism.
The arrival of summer marks a special period in which the long days, the good temperature and the arrival of holidays allow new places and opportunities to be discovered for the hotel and catering sector, which is experiencing one of its sweetest periods as the main stage of the summer season and in which it increases its activity to the maximum in order to offer quality services adapted to new needs.
The importance of the international hospitality industry in boosting the economy will be one of the topics to be addressed at the first edition of Guext, the new International Exhibition of suppliers and services for the Hospitality sector organised by IFEMA MADRID and FELAC (Spanish Federation of Associations of Manufacturers of Machinery for the Hospitality, Collectivities and Related Industries), from 18 to 21 October, which will bring together the main companies and professionals from the different sectors involved in this transformation process.
Hospitality trends for this season
The summer of 2024 will be marked mainly by proposals that allow tourists to live personalised experiences. The type of stay, the gastronomy or the activities to be carried out on their trip, all the options must have a common denominator and that is to create unforgettable memories.
Overnight stays in hotel establishments increased by 11.1% in May compared to the same month in 2023. Thus, luxury hotels account for a large part of this percentage by adapting the offer to the tastes and habits of the premium client. However, the INE also reports that there is a special trend towards non-hotel accommodation such as campsites with 16.1%, rural tourism with 16.7% and hostels with 13.1%.
In catering, consumer behaviour is changing. Food experience design stands out for memorable experiences that can be shared on social networks, whether for the presentation of the dish or the appearance of the restaurant. Also, flexible and creative menus, many of them created with Artificial Intelligence, to attract new customers or ensure minimum food waste. And, take-away business models and virtual kitchens will be very relevant in the gastronomic field, although the interest in home-made, traditional and natural cuisine persists.
In this line, the commitment to sustainability and environmental commitment continues to be a priority among travellers. Destinations and establishments that apply sustainable practices will be better positioned to attract this segment of the market.ue that interest in traditional, natural, homemade cuisine persists.
Recruitment in the sector will increase by 12.4% compared to 2023
In order to cope with the expected record influx of both domestic and foreign tourists and new consumer trends, there will be a significant increase in hiring in the tourism and hospitality sector, with special emphasis on coastal areas and the country's main cities.
In this regard, data from the Randstad consultancy firm reveal that 600,000 new jobs will be created, a figure that represents a 12.4% increase in recruitment compared to the previous summer. Hotels and restaurants will lead the signing of contracts with more than 150,000 and 87,000, respectively. Transport and logistics will account for 38% of the total number of contracts, with more than 232,000, followed by commerce, with 17% (+106,300), and leisure and entertainment, with almost 4% (+22,250). The most in-demand profiles are waiters, cooks and kitchen assistants, travel agents, leisure monitors and lifeguards.