Chile tourism employment rises 4.4% in 2026, adding 28,540 jobs
Chile's tourism sector added 28,540 jobs in the July‑September 2026 quarter, raising total employment to 680,200 workers. The data, released on 29 October 2026, affect tourism workers, employers and policy observers tracking the sector's growth amid a broader labour market slowdown.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Tourism employment rose 4.4% YoY, adding 28,540 jobs
- Timing
- Data cover July–September 2026, published 29 October 2026
- Who is affected
- Workers and employers in Chile's tourism sector
The details
- Announced by
- Undersecretariat of Tourism
- Takes effect
- July–September 2026
- Previous rule
- Tourism employment was 28,540 fewer in the comparable July–September 2025 period
- New rule
- Tourism employment reached 680,200 workers, a 4.4% year‑on‑year increase
Overall employment growth
The tourism sector recorded a 4.4% year‑on‑year increase during July–September 2026, bringing total employment to 680,200 workers. This growth added 28,540 jobs compared with the same period in 2025 and lifted tourism‑related activities to 7.3% of national employment. Women accounted for 354,440 workers, representing 52.1% of the sector, the highest share since the INE series began in 2017, and female employment rose 14% YoY.
Sector breakdown
Accommodation and food services remained the largest category, employing 424,310 people. Tourist transport followed with 94,520 workers, while sports, recreational and cultural activities employed 92,480 workers and grew 16.1% YoY, making it one of the fastest‑growing segments. Formal employment in tourism rose to 458,640 workers, representing 67.4% of total tourism employment and a 2.5% increase over the previous twelve months.
Regional performance
Tourism employment grew in 10 of Chile's 16 regions. Tarapacá posted the strongest annual growth at 59.4%, with 18,100 people employed. O’Higgins and Magallanes recorded growth of 21.7% and 20.8%, employing 26,210 and 10,660 workers respectively. Antofagasta, Biobío and Arica and Parinacota also saw double‑digit gains. The Metropolitan Region remained the largest centre with 331,340 workers and a 5.6% increase.
Context and industry response
The tourism sector’s expansion contrasts with a national unemployment rate of 9.8% and a 1.3‑point YoY rise, while formal salaried employment fell 2.5% across the broader economy. The Federation of Tourism Companies of Chile (Fedetur) urged the sector to contribute 100,000 additional jobs and advocated a dedicated tourism labour statute to address seasonality, weekend operations and demand fluctuations, aiming to improve formal recruitment and protect workers’ rights.
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers may notice improved service levels as the tourism workforce expands.
- Higher female participation could influence hospitality experiences positively.
Cost and documents
- No new fees or documentation requirements are introduced for visitors.
- Travel costs remain unaffected by the employment changes.
What you need to do
- No specific actions are required for travelers.
- Monitor tourism sector updates for potential service improvements.
Who this affects
-
Job seekers in Chile's tourism sector
Tourism employment rose 4.4% YoY, creating new positions.
What to do Monitor job listings and recruitment drives.
-
Employers in Chile's tourism industry
Sector added 28,540 jobs, indicating demand for staff.
What to do Consider hiring to meet increased demand.
-
Policy analysts monitoring Chile's labour market
Employment growth contrasts with national unemployment rise.
What to do Use data for economic assessments.
-
Women in Chile's tourism workforce
Female share reached 52.1%, the highest since 2017.
What to do Leverage increased representation for gender‑focused initiatives.
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs were added to Chile's tourism sector in 2026?
A total of 28,540 jobs were added in the July‑September 2026 quarter, raising tourism employment to 680,200 workers according to the Undersecretariat of Tourism.
What is the total number of tourism workers in Chile now?
Tourism employment reached 680,200 workers during July‑September 2026, representing 7.3% of all employment in the country.
What share of tourism employment is female in Chile?
Women accounted for 354,440 workers, or 52.1% of the tourism sector, the highest proportion recorded since the INE statistical series began in 2017.
Which Chilean region saw the strongest tourism job growth in 2026?
Tarapacá recorded the strongest annual growth at 59.4%, employing 18,100 people in tourism during the July‑September 2026 period.
How does tourism employment compare with national unemployment rates?
While tourism employment grew 4.4% YoY, national unemployment rose to 9.8% in the same period, highlighting the sector’s resilience amid broader labour market weakness.
What is Fedetur proposing for Chile's tourism labour market?
Fedetur called for a specific tourism labour statute to support formal recruitment, address seasonality and protect workers' rights, with a goal of creating 100,000 additional jobs in the coming years.
