According to the 2025 Travel Salary Index report, the average salary for new positions in the UK tourism industry has reached a record high of £37,695 annually despite a decline in job offers.
The latest report from C&M Travel Recruitment, titled "2025 Travel Salary Index", reveals that the average salary for newly created roles in the tourism sector has increased by 1.78% in 2025, reaching a record level of £37,695 per year, reflecting a year-on-year rise of £659. This marks the fourth consecutive year of salary growth in the sector since a brief stagnation in 2021 due to the pandemic. The rise is notable but shows a significant slowdown in growth compared to previous years, where increases were as high as 11.56% in 2023 and 8.43% in 2024.
Despite the slower growth in wages for 2025, the long-term trend indicates a solid upward trajectory in salaries within the UK tourism industry since 2021. The continued demand for skilled workers in tourism seems to drive this wage increase, but it contrasts sharply with a notable decrease in job offers in the industry. This drop in available positions may highlight a potential area of concern for job seekers and could indicate a shift in the market dynamics.
The collaboration agreement between Wakacje.pl and TUI Poland, one of the largest multi-agents in the industry, is indicative of ongoing industry adjustments. Such partnerships may help combat the declining number of job offers by consolidating resources and potentially creating new opportunities within the sector. However, the ongoing decline in postings may serve as a bellwether for challenges that the tourism industry faces in sustaining employment growth amidst rising salary levels.
