Employment in Portugal’s Tourism Sector: Structural Transformation and Working Conditions from 2012 to 2022

Abstract

This study analyses employment in the tourism sector and seeks to identify trends in the evolution of worker profiles and transformation of the structure and working conditions in Portugal’s tourism sector from 2012 to 2022. It aims to understand how profiles, qualifications, and working conditions relate to the spatial distribution among Portuguese tourist regions and the typology and scale of tourism businesses, contributing valuable insights to defining sector strategies. It applies a quantitative approach based on statistical data from the Portuguese Ministry of Labour, Solidarity, and Social Security, disaggregated by the three segments of economic activity in the tourism sector: accommodation and food services, recreational and cultural activities, and transport and logistics. Descriptive statistics, MANOVA, and ANOVA tests analyse differences based on establishment size, tourist regions, and activity segments. The results show significant employment growth, regional variations, high turnover, and an increase in fixed-term contracts. Weak but significant correlations link education, nationality, gender, and working hours, indicating potential inequalities. The study highlights gender and educational differences among workers, as well as disparities related to employment status and nationality.

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