Japan Niseko Tops Global Seasonal Work Ranking as New Zealand Dominates World’s Best Destinations for Workers Abroad

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New Remitly study ranks 88 seasonal-work destinations across ski resorts, agricultural regions and hospitality hotspots, with Niseko taking the global lead and New Zealand securing eight places in the top 20.

A new Remitly study has revealed the world’s leading destinations for seasonal workers, with Niseko in Japan taking the top position and New Zealand emerging as the strongest-performing country. The research assesses 88 destinations across 21 countries, examining cost of living, rent affordability, leisure opportunities, job demand and safety.

For workers seeking temporary jobs overseas, the ranking highlights destinations where employment opportunities can be combined with travel, outdoor activities and seasonal lifestyles. Ski resorts, fruit-growing regions and hospitality hubs all feature prominently, reflecting the different types of seasonal employment available internationally.

Which destination ranks as the world’s best for seasonal work?

Niseko, Japan, ranks first with a score of 79.0 out of 100, according to Remitly’s study.

The famous Hokkaido ski destination performs strongly across several factors considered important to seasonal workers, particularly safety and everyday affordability. Niseko’s four interconnected resort areas also attract a large international visitor base, creating employment opportunities across hospitality, ski-related services, restaurants and other tourism businesses.

Remitly gives Niseko a safety score of 92.9 out of 100, placing it among the safest destinations assessed. Its combination of employment opportunities, tourism infrastructure and winter activities helped it secure the overall top position.

Why does New Zealand dominate the seasonal-work ranking?

New Zealand places eight destinations in the global top 20, more than any other country in the study.

Central Otago ranks third overall with 68.0 points and is the highest-ranked agricultural destination. Queenstown follows in fourth, while Dunedin ranks fifth. Wanaka, Nelson, Rotorua, Motueka and Wellington also feature among the leading destinations.

The spread across different categories is particularly notable. New Zealand appears in ski, agriculture and hospitality rankings, giving seasonal workers several types of employment and lifestyle options within one country.

Central Otago is associated with summer fruit-picking opportunities around areas such as Cromwell and Alexandra, while Queenstown and Wanaka are major destinations for winter tourism and hospitality employment.

Dunedin, meanwhile, ranks fifth overall and is identified by the study as the leading destination globally for seasonal hospitality and nightlife work.

Which European ski resorts make the global top 20?

Several major Alpine ski destinations perform strongly, despite higher living costs.

Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo ranks second globally with 73.1 points. The Dolomites destination also records the highest safety score in the study at 94.1.

Austria’s St Anton ranks eighth with 63.6, while France places Val d’Isère tenth at 62.5 and Courchevel 13th at 60.9. Switzerland’s Zermatt ranks 11th with 62.0.

The study notes that some of these destinations have significantly higher living costs than Niseko. However, seasonal employment packages can sometimes include accommodation or accommodation support, an important consideration when comparing nominal wages with actual living expenses.

Where can seasonal workers find hospitality and party jobs?

Southern Europe features prominently among the leading hospitality and party destinations.

Greece places three destinations in the top 20, with Corfu’s Kavos ranking ninth, Malia in Crete 12th and Faliraki in Rhodes 17th.

Spain’s Benidorm ranks 16th, while Malaga shares 20th place with Wellington. Portugal’s Albufeira/Algarve ranks 18th.

These destinations are heavily dependent on tourism and therefore generate seasonal demand across hotels, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and other visitor-facing businesses.

For workers considering these locations, however, employment availability should be assessed alongside accommodation costs, visa eligibility, taxation, working-hour rules and the duration of the tourist season.

Which destination is best for seasonal fruit-picking?

Central Otago in New Zealand is the highest-ranked agricultural destination in the study.

The region, centred around locations including Cromwell and Alexandra, is known for horticulture and viticulture. Seasonal agricultural employment can include fruit harvesting and related farm and packhouse work.

Nelson ranks seventh overall and is the second-highest agricultural destination, followed by Motueka in 15th place.

These locations illustrate how seasonal work can extend beyond winter tourism. Agricultural seasons create temporary employment opportunities at different times of the year, allowing some working-holiday travellers to combine employment with extended travel.

What are the world’s top 20 destinations for seasonal work?

According to the Remitly study, the global top 20 are:

What factors were used to rank seasonal-work destinations?

Remitly assessed five factors that influence the practical experience of seasonal workers.

The study evaluates cost of living, rent affordability compared with the local minimum wage, things to do, job demand and safety.

Each destination receives an overall score out of 100. This means the ranking is not simply a comparison of wages or job availability. Instead, it attempts to combine employment prospects with the wider financial and lifestyle conditions that seasonal workers encounter.

That distinction is important because a destination with strong tourism employment may also have expensive accommodation, while a lower-cost agricultural region may offer fewer entertainment options.

How important is New Zealand’s seasonal workforce?

New Zealand has a substantial seasonal employment sector spanning agriculture, tourism and hospitality.

Remitly’s study highlights the country’s horticulture and viticulture industries alongside its tourism economy. The original study cites overseas seasonal workers entering through the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme and working-holiday visa holders as important parts of the workforce.

The figures reproduced in the supplied material contain footnote markers — “20,7501” and “32,4902” — rather than cleanly presented source figures. Those markers appear to refer to references in the original research document, so they should not be treated as independently verified numbers without checking the underlying Remitly sources.

For prospective workers, immigration eligibility remains separate from a destination’s ranking. A high position in a seasonal-work study does not itself mean that a worker is eligible for employment in that country.

What does Remitly say about New Zealand’s appeal?

Kym Whitford, General Manager & Director, Remitly Asia Pacific, said New Zealand attracts seasonal workers because of opportunities spanning skiing, agriculture and hospitality.

“New Zealand is a real draw for seasonal workers. Its ski, agriculture, and hospitality sectors offer globally competitive opportunities across the year. In our study they are globally ranked highly based on work opportunities, leisure activities, and high safety levels.”

Whitford also stressed that seasonal workers have different priorities, particularly those seeking temporary employment to support themselves or send money home, compared with travellers looking for an adventurous working holiday.

“There is no single best destination in the world, as the right choice depends on the type of work and life someone is looking for. But whether people are seeking seasonal work to send money home to support their families, or looking for an adventurous working holiday, New Zealand is a strong contender.”

What does the ranking mean for people planning seasonal work abroad?

The study shows that the most attractive seasonal-work destinations vary substantially according to the type of employment and the worker’s priorities.

Niseko leads the overall ranking, but New Zealand provides the broadest representation across the top 20. Central Otago stands out for agricultural work, while Dunedin leads the study’s hospitality and nightlife category.

Europe remains particularly prominent for winter employment, with resorts in Italy, Austria, France and Switzerland appearing among the highest-ranked locations. Meanwhile, Greece, Spain and Portugal provide several major seasonal hospitality destinations.

For anyone planning to work abroad, the ranking should therefore be treated as a starting point rather than a guarantee of earnings or employment. Visa rules, minimum wages, accommodation availability, taxes, contract conditions, insurance and local labour regulations can materially change the financial outcome of a seasonal job.

Seasonal employment is increasingly linked with international travel, allowing workers to combine temporary jobs with extended stays overseas. Remitly’s latest study places Niseko in Japan at number one, followed by Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy and Central Otago in New Zealand.

The strongest national showing comes from New Zealand, with eight destinations in the global top 20, spanning agriculture, skiing and hospitality. Central Otago leads agricultural locations, while Dunedin takes the highest position among hospitality and party destinations.

Europe’s ski resorts also remain major seasonal employment hubs, while Greece, Spain and Portugal feature prominently for tourism and hospitality work. Ultimately, the most suitable destination depends on the worker’s occupation, visa eligibility, budget, accommodation arrangements and preferred lifestyle.