Based on the “Syrquin and Chenery Structural Change Model” principle and panel data of the tourism industry in Central China from 2011 to 2020, this study empirically analyzes the structure of tourism talents and its impact on tourism economic development. The industry structure of tourism talents in Central China deviates significantly, yet the overall deviation coefficient fluctuates downward, indicating an annual optimization trend in talent structure across various sectors. Specifically, talent shortages persist in travel agencies due to high turnover rates; the hotel industry has shown a trend towards talent surplus in recent years due to stable talent reserves; and talent gaps in tourism attractions were evident in the first three years since 2011, stabilizing thereafter. The spatial structure of tourism talents among the six provinces in Central China shows an imbalance. Shanxi Province demonstrates a relatively stable talent structure; Jiangxi Province faces relative talent shortages; Henan Province exhibits talent oversupply; and Anhui and Hunan Provinces have transitioned from talent oversupply to demand exceeding supply. (3) The spatial structure of tourism talents in Central China does not significantly impact the tourism economy, whereas the talent structures in the three industries significantly influence tourism economic development, with impacts ranked in the following order: tourism attractions > travel agencies > hotels.