Tourism in Ecuador represents one of the most important sectors due to its significant contribution to the country’s economy, from which several activities are derived, such as accommodation services, food and beverage provision, recreational activities, and transportation, among others, in which many Ecuadorians have made their ventures and in other cases are providing their services. The main objective of this study is to analyze direct tourism employment in the province of Santa Elena and its relationship with the current and projected employment situation in the tourism sector. The study was based on a non-experimental design and used descriptive-correlational research with a quantitative approach for the evaluation of direct employment in tourism through the application of surveys to owners of establishments and workers of tourism establishments, where the application of correspondence analysis allowed the testing of hypotheses. The results allowed determining that the current situation of direct employment, such as the growth of the sector, the reactivation of tourism, the factors that benefit tourism, and the challenges and problems in the generation of employment, is associated with its projected situation regarding the strategic allies and the industry that would generate the most employment.

Employment, tourism servers, tourism activities, St. Helena