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."