Travel jobseekers hit almost 10-year December high prompting hope of turn-of-year recruitment spree

Recruitment

James Chapple

14 January 2026

Travel ended 2025 with the highest number of jobseekers looking for roles in the industry over the festive period for almost a decade, but fewer available roles for them to be placed in.

Job candidates wait to be seen for roles — The number of new candidates seeking roles in travel increased by 8% year-on-year in December to the highest level since December 2017 (Credit: iStock / skynesher)

The number of new candidates searching for travel jobs increased by 8% year-on-year in December according to C&M Travel Recruitment, the highest December total since 2017.

However, this total was 19% lower than the figure for November. December also saw a 14% month-on-month drop in new job vacancies, and an 11% drop when compared with December 2024.

In addition, the number of candidates being placed in new travel jobs in December fell by almost a third (32%) month-on-month, and by nearly a quarter (23%) versus December 2024.

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