Read UN Tourism's figures for 2025
UN Tourism published its review of 2025 on January 20, 2026. International tourist arrivals reached 1.52 billion, almost 60 million more than in 2024 and an increase of 4%.
By region, Europe received 793 million visitors (+4%, or 6% above 2019). Asia and the Pacific received 331 million (+6%), but remain 9% below the 2019 level. The Americas received 218 million (+1%), Africa 81 million (+8%) and the Middle East nearly 100 million (+3%), or 39% more than before the pandemic.
For 2026, the organization expects growth of 3 to 4% compared with 2025, provided that Asia and the Pacific continue their recovery, economic conditions remain favourable and geopolitical conflicts do not worsen. These are assumptions, not guarantees.
Distinguish tourist arrivals from jobs
The number of international arrivals measures trips, not jobs. It does not tell us how many people work in accommodation, food services, transportation, agencies or attractions, or under what conditions: seasonal, part-time or permanent employment.
An increase in arrivals does not automatically lead to a proportional increase in employment. Businesses may absorb the increase through higher occupancy rates, technology or overtime work. Conversely, a decline may be offset by shorter seasons or a change in clientele.
To estimate labour demand, you need to examine employment statistics for the target country, by occupation, and cross-reference them with actual job postings. UN Tourism's data mainly describe activity, not the labour market.
Read the U.S. projections by occupation
The BLS publishes occupational projections for 2025–2035. For lodging managers, it projects growth of 4%, with a median salary of US$69,250 in May 2025. For meeting, convention and event planners, projected growth is 6%, with a median salary of US$61,160. For chefs and head cooks, it is 7%, with a median salary of US$62,470.
These categories cover only part of the sector. They do not include travel agents, whose page could not be accessed, or service, front desk or housekeeping staff, or guides.
The BLS describes growth as “about as fast as average” for lodging managers and “faster than average” for the other two occupations. Median salaries reflect all experience levels and do not tell us what a graduate earns in their first year.
Compare occupations in a table
The following table brings together the BLS figures. It does not replace statistics from the country where you intend to work.
| Occupation (United States) | Growth 2025–2035 | Median salary, May 2025 | Typical entry-level education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging manager | 4% | US$69,250 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Event planner | 6% | US$61,160 | Bachelor's degree |
| Chef and head cook | 7% | US$62,470 | High school diploma, often followed by culinary training or an apprenticeship |
This table shows that these occupations do not all require a university degree. Entry-level education ranges from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree, and apprenticeship pathways play a role in cooking.
It also shows that median salaries fall within a narrow range, from US$61,160 to US$69,250, despite different entry-level education requirements. A bachelor's degree therefore does not appear to be a salary factor on its own in these data: experience, the type of establishment and the region probably play a role that the medians do not break down.
Choose your level of education according to your target occupation
For lodging managers, the BLS indicates that a high school diploma is the typical entry-level education. Full-service establishments may prefer a bachelor's degree in hospitality management, while limited-service establishments may accept an associate degree or a certificate in hotel, restaurant or hospitality management.
For event planners, a bachelor's degree is the typical education, and prior experience in event planning can help. For chefs, many complete a culinary program or an apprenticeship.
This means that a degree is not always the shortest route. In several cases, experience matters as much as education, and a program with paid work placements narrows the gap between the two.
For an international student, the decision includes a cost calculation: four years of a bachelor's degree abroad cost much more than a certificate lasting a few months. The sources consulted do not compare graduates' earnings by level of education, which makes the comparison uncertain. A cautious approach is to read actual job postings in the target country and note the level of education required for each position.
Assess the quality of a hospitality program
A few questions can help you compare programs:
- Are work placements mandatory, paid and supervised?
- In which establishments have recent graduates been placed?
- Does the program also teach financial management, marketing and personnel management?
- Have the instructors worked in the industry?
- Does the program offer exchanges or work placements abroad?
The sources consulted do not publish comparable rankings of hospitality programs or employment rates by institution. You therefore need to request these data from the schools and check the methodology: response rate, survey date and definition of employment in the sector.
A well-supervised paid work placement lasting several months often offers more than an additional course. It allows you to see whether the hours, pace and clientele suit you before making a longer commitment. You should also find out whether the local industry recognizes the program: a credential known to employers in the region makes it easier to find a first job.
Plan for working conditions
Work in hospitality and food services often involves evenings, weekends and holidays. Seasonality is common in tourist destinations, with busy periods followed by slow periods.
These conditions affect annual income and quality of life. A median salary says nothing about the number of hours worked, job stability or employee benefits. Job postings sometimes include these details; if not, you can ask about them during the interview.
For international students, the right to work during their studies and after graduation depends on the rules of the country where they study. These are published by immigration authorities and change regularly. In Canada, for example, a post-graduation work permit is granted only for eligible programs, making it essential to check program eligibility before enrolling.
Keep the limitations of the data in mind
Tourist arrivals are sensitive to crises: the pandemic demonstrated this, and UN Tourism itself specifies that the 2026 forecast depends on favourable conditions. The sector is therefore exposed to shocks that growth statistics do not predict.
Hospitality occupations also offer different prospects depending on the country. U.S. projections do not apply directly to another jurisdiction, and median salaries vary by region and cost of living.
A cautious approach is to choose a program that teaches transferable skills: team management, finance, customer service and event planning. These are also useful in other service sectors. A student who maintains this flexibility can move to another sector if a crisis affects tourism, something that very narrow training does not allow.
What about Canada?
In Canada, hospitality, tourism and culinary programs are offered by universities, colleges and specialized institutes. Hospitality occupations are generally not regulated in the same way as health care or engineering, although some, such as culinary trades, have recognized apprenticeship pathways in several provinces. Canadian employment statistics by occupation are published separately by federal and provincial agencies.
Specialized hospitality schools are not included in StudyCanada's directories. Related programs are listed there: the tourism minor and the Recreation and Leisure program at the University of Waterloo, sport and recreation management at the University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa, and the bachelor's degree in integrated food sciences in partnership with Le Cordon Bleu, offered in English at the University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa. Details about work placements and conditions for international students can be found on each program's page.