Travel jobseekers reach highest December total in eight years

The number of new candidates seeking a travel industry job rose by 8% in December compared to the same month in 2024, according to figures from C&M Travel Recruitment.

It was the highest total for the month of December since 2017 - but last month’s figure slipped by 19% from November 2025.

In the traditionally quietest month of the year for the travel recruitment sector, December saw a 14% monthly fall in new job vacancies, while the figure was down by 11% from December 2024.

Similarly, there was a 32% fall in the number of candidates being placed in new travel jobs in December, compared to November. The total was also down by 23% from the last month in 2024.

Barbara Kolosinska, co-owner and managing director at C&M Travel Recruitment, said: “December is always the quietest month of the year for travel recruitment and 2025 was no exception. However, there were also some encouraging figures as we head into the new year.

“Most notable was the year-on-year increase in new candidates. Last month recorded the highest December total in eight years, with many jobseekers eager to progress their career over the holidays.

“Early signs indicate that January will almost certainly be a much busier month, and all eyes will now be on whether the sector can build on this momentum throughout the early months of 2026.”

All figures are drawn from the month’s new vacancies advertised with C&M Travel Recruitment.

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Number of candidates being placed in new travel roles rises by more than a third