The tourism sector is experiencing a profound transformation influenced by digital technology and a heightened focus on sustainability.
According to Assolavoro, these elements are key drivers in the evolving demand for skills within the industry.
The sector employs approximately 380,000 individuals across over 76,000 businesses, with micro-enterprises (up to 9 employees) accounting for just over half of the workforce (51.5%). Small enterprises (10-49 employees) employ 31% of the workforce, while larger companies (50 or more employees) represent a minority, employing only 17.5% of the sector's workforce.
Notably, large enterprises (250 or more employees) make up just 6.4% of total employment.

The seasonal nature of tourism significantly affects employment flexibility and the volume of work required throughout the year.
This seasonality results in a lower prevalence of permanent contracts compared to the broader service sector.
In tourism, only 51.6% of employees have permanent contracts, compared to 81.2% in the overall service sector.
Additionally, the tourism industry has a slightly higher proportion of young workers (18.1% under 29 years old) compared to the service sector (14.3%). Other notable differences include a higher percentage of female employees (52.1% in tourism versus 44.6% in services) and a lower incidence of part-time contracts (30.2% in tourism versus 37.8% in services). The sector also has a significant proportion of manual laborers, accounting for 61.9% of employees compared to 47.6% in the broader service sector.

Technological advancements, particularly in digital innovation, are the most significant drivers of economic transformation in tourism.
These changes impact the labor market, necessitating new professional profiles and skills.
The shift towards sustainability is also crucial, as consumers become more aware of the environmental and social impacts of their travel choices.
Additionally, personalized digital communication models are pushing companies to innovate further in this area.

New professional roles are emerging in response to these trends.
In air transport and airport management, roles such as application performance specialists and risk analysts for governance and compliance are becoming essential.
These professionals focus on fuel consumption, regulatory compliance, and sustainability indicators.
In research and development, roles like route development managers and data analysts are crucial for optimizing routes and analyzing public data.

In the hotel sector, transformations are particularly evident in communication and transparency towards tourists.
Front office staff, info point managers, and hospitality personnel are increasingly using digital tools to automate processes like check-in and check-out.
These roles require enhanced interaction with guests, leveraging data to personalize customer relationships.

Marketing and communication roles are also evolving, with a focus on promoting sustainable and high-quality destinations.
Profiles such as destination managers and travel consultants need to understand sustainability indicators and rating tools to meet new consumer demands.

The qualification of personnel and the widespread use of secure employment contracts are vital for the sector's competitiveness.
As noted by the president of Assolavoro, the tourism industry has seen remarkable growth and is one of the first to adapt to new needs, requiring additional and transversal skills.
The sector is also vulnerable to irregular employment practices.
Therefore, the qualification of personnel and the adoption of secure contracts are essential for individual, corporate, and national competitiveness.
Employment agencies play a crucial role in facilitating these processes, offering a model of training and additional welfare that supports businesses in selecting and training the most suitable candidates for various job opportunities.