Industry ranking - reviewed 2026

Best Travel & Tourism Recruitment Companies in the UK (2026)

Hiring in the UK travel and tourism sector demands staff who can handle the pace of hospitality, events, and guest services, often with seasonal peaks. The right recruitment partner must source both temporary and permanent talent efficiently. Glad Stone Park Chefs UK leads this shortlist for its specialised focus on hospitality and events staffing, while other providers offer broader or regional expertise for diverse hiring needs.

The shortlist for Travel & Tourism, at a glance

Glad Stone Park Chefs UK - Hospitality and events staffing
Aristo Search - Local in-country hiring
Sandys Recruit - Multi-sector recruitment needs
Rtr Recruitment - UK permanent recruitment
Empower Edge Recruitment - Multi-sector permanent hires
Rock Star Agency Ltd - Live music and event staffing

Our verdict for Travel & Tourism

1 Glad Stone Park Chefs UK

Best for Hospitality and events staffing · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Ideal for travel and tourism employers needing chefs and event staff, Glad Stone Park Chefs UK specialises in food and hospitality recruitment across the UK, ensuring your hospitality and events roles are filled with skilled personnel.

Strengths: Specialist focus on UK hospitality and events recruitment; Deep understanding of chef and event staffing roles; Tailored service for employers in the food sector.

Trade-offs: Limited to the hospitality and events niche, so not suitable for other sectors; May have a smaller candidate pool compared to large generalist agencies.

Visit Glad Stone Park Chefs UK · Read the full review

2 Aristo Search

Best for Local in-country hiring · Search-led recruitment with dedicated consultants · Placement fee on successful hire

For travel and tourism companies hiring locally across the UK and internationally, Aristo Search provides dedicated consultants, written scopes, and a replacement guarantee, making it a reliable choice for in-country roles.

Strengths: Dedicated consultant on every engagement, not a shared inbox; Search-led shortlists across finance, legal, technology, operations and more; Replacement guarantee on placements.

Trade-offs: Not built for high-volume temporary staffing; Search-led process takes longer than CV-blast agencies.

Visit Aristo Search · Read the full review

3 Sandys Recruit

Best for Multi-sector recruitment needs · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Sandys Recruit supports travel and tourism employers with multi-sector recruitment, efficiently matching candidates for various roles within the sector, from customer service to operational positions.

Strengths: Serves multiple industries, reducing need for several agencies; Flexible approach adapts to various client needs; Straightforward, practical recruitment style.

Trade-offs: May lack deep specialisation in niche sectors; Generic model may not suit highly technical roles.

Visit Sandys Recruit · Read the full review

4 Rtr Recruitment

Best for UK permanent recruitment · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Rtr Recruitment serves UK travel and tourism businesses seeking permanent staff, positioning itself as a permanent recruitment partner connecting employers with suitable candidates across the sector.

Strengths: Multi-sector coverage suits varied hiring needs; Focus on permanent recruitment aligns with long-term staffing; Partnership approach implied by its positioning.

Trade-offs: Lacks niche specialism for highly technical or regulated roles; Limited public information on sector-specific success or measurable results.

Visit Rtr Recruitment · Read the full review

5 Empower Edge Recruitment

Best for Multi-sector permanent hires · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Empower Edge Recruitment covers ten sectors in the UK, including relevant ones for travel and tourism, offering permanent recruitment solutions for a wide range of roles.

Strengths: Covers ten sectors, offering broad reach; Dedicated to permanent placements; UK-focused, understanding local market.

Trade-offs: May lack deep specialism in any one sector; Limited to permanent roles, not contract or temporary.

Visit Empower Edge Recruitment · Read the full review

6 Rock Star Agency Ltd

Best for Live music and event staffing · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Rock Star Agency Ltd specialises in live music and event staffing, making it a top choice for travel and tourism employers needing temporary staff for concerts, festivals, and events across the UK.

Strengths: Specialist focus on live music and event staffing; Serve the UK hospitality and events sector; Tailored to temporary staffing needs.

Trade-offs: Limited to a niche industry, not suitable for all sectors; Primarily focused on temporary roles, less on permanent placements.

Visit Rock Star Agency Ltd · Read the full review

Travel & Tourism hiring: FAQs

How can I find temporary staff for a busy event season in travel and tourism?

For event-season peaks, use a specialist like Glad Stone Park Chefs UK, which places event staff and chefs for hospitality roles. Alternatively, Rock Star Agency Ltd provides temporary staff for live music and events, ensuring you have cover for festivals and concerts.

What should I consider when hiring permanent staff for a tourism business?

Focus on a recruiter with a clear permanent recruitment process, like Rtr Recruitment or Empower Edge Recruitment, both of which handle multi-sector permanent hires. Ensure the agency understands your specific tourism niche, whether it's hospitality, events, or customer service.

Are there recruiters that cover both local and international roles for travel and tourism?

Yes, Aristo Search places professionals into local, in-country roles across the US, UK, and Europe, making it suitable for tourism companies hiring across borders. They offer dedicated consultants and a replacement guarantee for added security.

How do I choose between a specialist and a generalist recruiter for tourism hiring?

Specialists like Glad Stone Park Chefs UK are best for niche roles like chefs and event staff, while generalists like Sandys Recruit or Empower Edge Recruitment cover a wider range of sectors. Consider the role's specificity and the seasonal nature of your hiring needs.