The Scale and Scope of Tourism Employment

By the Numbers: Who Works in Tourism

France's tourism workforce encompasses remarkable diversity:

Direct Employment (2.1 million jobs)

• Accommodation: 380,000
• Restaurants and cafés: 750,000
• Transportation: 220,000
• Travel agencies and tour operators: 45,000
• Cultural sites and attractions: 85,000
• Sports and recreation: 120,000
• Tourism administration: 25,000
• Other tourism services: 475,000

Indirect Employment (1.2 million additional)

• Suppliers to tourism businesses
• Construction and maintenance
• Agriculture and food production
• Retail supported by tourist spending

Seasonal Surge

Peak season adds 500,000 temporary positions:

• Summer coastal resorts: 200,000
• Winter ski resorts: 150,000
• Festival and event staff: 50,000
• Harvest and wine tourism: 100,000

Geographic Distribution: Uneven Opportunities

Tourism employment concentrates dramatically:

High-Density Regions

• Île-de-France: 450,000 jobs (21% of total)
• PACA (Riviera): 280,000 jobs
• Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: 240,000 jobs
• Nouvelle-Aquitaine: 180,000 jobs

Employment Deserts

Rural departments often struggle:

• Creuse: 2,800 tourism jobs total
• Haute-Marne: 3,200 jobs
• Industrial regions: Limited opportunities

This concentration creates internal migration patterns. Sophie, from rural Corrèze, explains: "Everyone my age left for the coast or Paris. There's no future in tourism here, just a few summer gîtes. I work in Nice now, but I miss home."