Economic Paradox in Italy: Record Tourism Amid Low Wages for Workers

The Italian tourism sector is experiencing a period of massive economic growth, which, however, is not reflected in the well-being of the workforce. According to data from the Federation of Workers in Trade and Services of the CGIL union, the sector is demonstrating record activity, but wages remain critically low.

Last year reported a record 477 million overnight stays and expenditures from foreign tourists of over 57 billion euros, generating a profit of nearly 23 billion euros. Despite these macroeconomic indicators, the two million employees who sustain the industry earn, on average, less than half the wages of employees in other parts of the private sector in the country.

The study highlights that the average annual salary in the sector is around 11,000 euros, which equates to approximately 62 euros per day. The main reason for this gap is the employment structure – the prevalence of part-time work, seasonal contracts, on-call work, and staff leasing. These practices create a state of professional insecurity that is more characteristic of tourism than other economic sectors in Italy.

What does this mean for the average person?
The case in Italy is an example of a "decoupling" between the economic success of an industry and the social stability of its employees. For consumers, this may mean lower service quality due to staff turnover, and for workers, a lack of long-term financial predictability, despite being in one of the country's most profitable sectors.