They represent 12.5% ​​of the total affiliates in the national economy

MADRID, 15 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Social Security affiliates in Spain linked to tourist activities reached 2.58 million in February, which represents an increase of 4.9% compared to the same month of the previous year, according to data published that Friday by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

Tourism employment in Spain represents 12.5% ​​of the total number of affiliates in the national economy. The total number of affiliates in the Spanish economy as a whole grew by 2.6% year-on-year, while in the services sector it increased by 3.1%. In February, registered Social Security affiliates increased, in absolute variation, by 529,732 people.

The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, has highlighted that in February the upward trend in the number of affiliates that began in June 2021 continues.

"Temporary employment is increasingly decreasing and we know that salaries have increased. These data are good news that results in the quality and positive contribution of this sector.

We are, little by little, building the tourism model we want," added Hereu.

In February, members linked to tourism activities increased year-on-year in absolute terms by 120,003 registered workers. The variation of affiliates was positive in all tourism branches, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

In hospitality, the increase was 75,126 members (23,603 in accommodation services and 51,523 in food and beverage services) while in travel agencies the increase was 4,671 workers. In other tourist activities the increase was 40,206 workers.

The number of employees in the tourism sector, which represents 81% of the total number of affiliated workers in said sector, increased by 5.8% compared to the same month of the previous year.

By branch of activity, salaried employment increased in travel agencies and tour operators (8%) and in hospitality (5.9%), and within this, it increased by 8.5% in accommodation services and 5 .2% in food and beverage services.

For its part, self-employment in tourism, which represents 19% of the total number of affiliated workers, increased by 1.2%. Hospitality activity remains stable as the increase in accommodation (3%) offset the decrease in food and beverage services (-0.2%). In travel agencies, there is a year-on-year increase of 6.9% in the number of self-employed workers.

In hospitality and travel agencies/tour operators together, sectors that represent 67.1% of the total number of affiliates registered with Social Security in tourism, affiliates increased by 4.8% year-on-year. This increase was due to the increase in employees (5.9%) and self-employed workers (0.4%).

Employment in the hospitality industry and travel agencies/tour operators increased in all the Autonomous Communities in the month of February. In relative terms, the year-on-year increase in the Balearic Islands stands out (9.5% more).

In absolute figures, the largest increases occurred in Andalusia (14,156 more affiliates), Madrid (12,506 more affiliates), Catalonia (10,580 more affiliates), the Valencian Community (9,990 more affiliates) and the Canary Islands (with an increase of 9,569).