Tourism employment in Chile grew 4.4% in twelve months and reached 680,200 people in the July-September 2026 quarter, 28,540 more than a year earlier, the Undersecretariat of Tourism reported on October 29. The figure stands out against the national picture: in the same quarter the number of employed people in Chile fell 1.1% and the unemployment rate rose to 9.8%, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).
The figure covers the Characteristic Tourism Activities (ACT in Spanish): accommodation, restaurants, passenger transport, agencies and recreational and cultural activities. Tourism now accounts for 7.3% of all jobs in the country, according to the Undersecretariat of Tourism's release, which processes INE's National Employment Survey.
Tourism jobs versus Chile's labor market
| Indicator (July-September 2026) | Value | 12-month change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| People employed in tourism (ACT) | 680,200 | +4.4% (+28,540) | Undersecretariat of Tourism |
| Tourism's share of total employment | 7.3% | — | Undersecretariat of Tourism |
| People employed in all of Chile | — | -1.1% | INE, ENE |
| National unemployment rate | 9.8% | +1.3 points | INE, ENE |
| Unemployment among women | 10.5% | +1.4 points | INE, ENE |
| National employment rate | 55.5% | -1.1 points | INE, ENE |
Sources: Undersecretariat of Tourism (October 29, 2026) and INE, National Employment Survey bulletin for July-September 2026, published the same day. INE reports that the number of unemployed people rose 15.3% in twelve months.
Daniel Mas, minister of both Economy, Development and Tourism and Mining, said that "some sectors are showing dynamism: in tourism, employment grew 4.4% over the last year, with more than 28,000 new jobs". Undersecretary of Tourism María Paz Lagos added that the challenge is "to move toward more formal and stable jobs throughout the year".
Where Chile's tourism workers are employed
| Activity | Employed (Jul-Sep 2026) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and food services | 424,310 | The largest branch of the sector |
| Tourist transport | 94,520 | — |
| Sports, recreational and cultural activities | 92,480 | +16.1% in twelve months |
| Total tourism (ACT) | 680,200 | +4.4% |
Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism. The three branches detailed in the release add up to 611,310 people; the rest belong to other activities of the sector, such as travel agencies, which the report does not break down.
Women: 52.1% of tourism jobs, a record for the series
Female employment in tourism reached 354,440 workers, 52.1% of the sector, the highest share since INE's series began in 2017. That is 43,390 more women than a year earlier, a 14% increase, according to the Undersecretariat. The figure stands out because nationwide unemployment among women rose to 10.5%.
| Indicator | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Women employed in tourism | 354,440 | +14% (+43,390) |
| Women's share of the sector | 52.1% | Highest since 2017 |
| Formal workers in tourism | 458,640 | +2.5% |
| Formality rate in the sector | 67.4% | — |
Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism, with INE's ENE data. One third of tourism workers (32.6%) are informal, an issue the government wants to address with the Tourism Labor Statute, currently before Congress.
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See advertising optionsTourism jobs by region in Chile
Tourism employment grew in 10 of the 16 regions. The largest percentage increases were in Tarapacá, O'Higgins and Magallanes; in absolute numbers, the Santiago Metropolitan Region holds almost half of the country's tourism workers.
| Region | Employed in tourism | 12-month change |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitana (Santiago) | 331,340 | +5.6% |
| Valparaíso | 67,270 | — |
| Biobío | 39,870 | +10.9% |
| O'Higgins | 26,210 | +21.7% |
| Tarapacá | 18,100 | +59.4% |
| Magallanes | 10,660 | +20.8% |
| Antofagasta | — | +12.5% |
| Arica y Parinacota | — | +9.7% |
Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism, July-September 2026 quarter. A dash means the release does not report the figure. Regional ENE estimates have a larger margin of error than national ones, especially in small regions, so the biggest increases should be read with caution.
We look at tourism's contribution to each regional economy in tourism GDP by region, and at hotel occupancy in hotel occupancy in Chile by region.
What tourism employment means for travelers
More jobs in the sector do not by themselves mean more foreign tourists: between January and August 2026, arrivals fell 19.1% compared with 2025 because of the drop in Argentines, according to Subturismo figures. Employment also relies on domestic tourism, events and gastronomy. For travelers, the signal is a supply of services holding up ahead of summer and the 2026-2027 high season.
Frequently asked questions
How many people work in tourism in Chile?
680,200 in the July-September 2026 quarter, 7.3% of everyone employed in the country, according to the Undersecretariat of Tourism.
How much did tourism employment grow?
4.4% in twelve months, equivalent to 28,540 additional jobs, while employment in the whole country fell 1.1%.
What is Chile's unemployment rate?
9.8% in July-September 2026, 1.3 points higher than a year earlier, according to INE.
Which region has the most tourism jobs?
The Santiago Metropolitan Region, with 331,340. Tarapacá grew the most in percentage terms (+59.4%).
