The number of new job vacancies in the travel industry jumped by 39% last month, according to the latest figures from C&M Travel Recruitment. The company was established in 1998. It is today the largest and most successful specialist travel recruitment company in the UK.
July’s total number of new roles was the highest in four months, despite dipping 8% from July 2024.
There was also a rise in the volume of candidates being placed in new travel jobs during the month, with July seeing a 26% jump from June. This was the highest total since March and was the third highest figure so far this year. July 2025’s figure was also up by 7% from the same month last year.
Similarly, there was also an increase in the number of new candidates searching for jobs in the travel industry last month, with a 6% monthly rise from June. However, last month’s total dipped by 15% from last July.
Speaking about the stats, Barbara Kolosinska, Co-Owner and Managing Director at C&M Travel Recruitment, said: “Considering the traditional summer slowdown, July was a very positive month for travel recruitment. We saw job placements, vacancies and new candidates all rising, which is the first time this year that all three metrics have increased in the same month.
“It’s also very encouraging to see a rise in job placements compared to the same month last year – with August looking like it will improve on last year as well. With many candidates and decision makers returning from their summer breaks, these positive figures now put us in a healthy position as we head into the autumn months.”
Wages increased by 3.1% during the first half of 2025
C&M Travel Recruitment is monitoring as well travel wages for 2025. According to their data, the average salary for a new job in the travel industry increased by 3.1% in the first half of the year. The 2025 H1 Travel Salary Index from C&M Travel Recruitment surveyed all new vacancies registered with the company during the timeframe.
The rise means that the average pay for a new travel job has reached £38,919 (US$52 180). This represented an increase of £1,172 since the first half of last year. However, this follows jumps of 12.86% and 12.58% in the first six months of 2024 and 2023 respectively.
There was a notable 7.39% rise in wages for senior travel roles (those paying £40,000 and above), with a significant increase in the number of new positions paying £60,000 or more. Such roles accounted for 13% of all new jobs in the first half of 2025 compared to only 5% during the same period of 2024.
However, pay for standard travel jobs (those paying below £40,000) saw a small fall of 1.56%– or £487 – during the first six months of the year to stand at £30,788. This followed increases of 6.78% and 5.99% in the first halves of 2024 and 2023 respectively. Despite the dip, the average wage for a standard travel job has risen by 19.04% (or £4,925) in the past 5 years.