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Popular European tourist destinations like Spain, Italy, and Croatia are facing severe shortages in the hospitality sector, essential to their economies. Despite a post-pandemic tourism boom, the demand for hospitality workers, especially waiters, remains unmet.
Spain's bars and restaurants expect half of their positions to remain unfilled this summer. Italy's Abruzzo region and Croatia also report significant shortages, with the latter relying heavily on foreign workers. The 2023 EURES report highlights that 18 EU countries, including Belgium, Germany, and Greece, need waiters and other hospitality staff. Improving working conditions is essential to address this crisis.
La Tribuna de Ciudad Real reports that bars and restaurants in Spain face staff shortages every summer, with half of the positions expected to remain vacant in 2024.
Similarly, many restaurants in Abruzzo, Italy, started the summer season "unprepared," struggling with a shortage of waiters.
In Croatia, the waiter position was one of the most sought-after jobs in 2023, according to the country's Employment Service (CES). As cited by Total Croatia News, the demand for salespeople, cleaners, and waiters made up 17 percent of the total workforce needs.
On the Adriatic coast, summer sees a shortage of various tourism-related jobs, such as cooks, waiters, bartenders, valets, cleaners, salespeople, pastry chefs, butchers, and bakers.
Hiring Foreign Workers to Meet Demand
To meet the increasing demands of tourism, many businesses are turning to foreign workers. Emilio Gallego, the general secretary of Hostelería de España, stated that for several industries, hiring foreign workers is the only viable solution to meet the demand.
However, this initiative faced criticism from Gonzalo Fuentes, head of the Catering Department of the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), who pointed out that poor working conditions and the lack of work-life balance are significant issues.
The Italian region of Abruzzo is also relying on foreign labor to meet its hospitality industry demands. As reported by InfoMigrants, tourism representatives have launched a project to train migrants for work in the restaurant business.
n reduce its dependency on foreign labour in the long term. Collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and private enterprises is essential to create a sustainable solution to the labour shortage.
Moreover, foreign workers contribute to the economy through taxes and consumer spending, creating a positive ripple effect across various industries.
In addition to waiters, many of these countries report shortages in other hospitality-related roles.
EURES Report Highlights Waiter Shortages in 18 EU Countries
Beyond Spain, Italy, and Croatia, other European countries are also experiencing a shortage of hospitality workers, particularly waiters.
The 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses highlights the waiter role as one of the most common and critical job shortages.
This shortage suggests that foreigners in this occupation might have a higher likelihood of securing employment and work visas in these countries.
According to this report, the following countries are facing a shortage of waiters:
Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Finland, France, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia
Advantages of Hiring Overseas Hospitality Workers to Meet Demands in European Tourist Destinations
As European tourist destinations continue to recover and grow post-pandemic, the hospitality industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for skilled workers. Countries like Spain, Italy, and Croatia, renowned for their vibrant tourism sectors, are particularly feeling the pinch. To address these labor shortages, many businesses are turning to overseas workers. Here are some advantages of hiring overseas hospitality workers to meet these growing demands.
1. Addressing Labour Shortages
One of the most immediate benefits of hiring overseas workers is the ability to fill the numerous vacancies in the hospitality sector. Local labor markets in many European countries cannot meet the high demand for roles such as waiters, cooks, bartenders, and cleaners. By recruiting workers from abroad, businesses can ensure they have the necessary staff to operate efficiently during peak tourist seasons.
2. Diverse Skill Sets and Experiences
Overseas workers often bring a wealth of diverse skills and experiences that can enrich the hospitality industry. Many have worked in various international settings and can introduce new perspectives and practices. This diversity can enhance service quality and create a more dynamic and innovative work environment, ultimately improving guest experiences.
3. Cultural Enrichment
Tourists visiting European destinations come from all over the world. Hiring workers from diverse cultural backgrounds can significantly enhance the cultural competence of hospitality businesses. Multilingual staff and those familiar with different customs can better cater to international guests, providing a more personalized and inclusive service.
4. Economic Benefits
Incorporating overseas workers into the local economy can have several positive ripple effects. These workers contribute to the local economy by spending their earnings on housing, food, and other essentials. Additionally, their presence helps maintain the competitiveness and attractiveness of the tourism sector, which is a significant revenue source for many European countries.
5. Mitigating Seasonal Fluctuations
Tourism in many European destinations is highly seasonal, with significant peaks and troughs in visitor numbers. Overseas workers can provide the necessary flexibility to manage these seasonal fluctuations effectively. Businesses can hire temporary workers from abroad to meet peak demand without the long-term financial commitment of maintaining a large permanent staff.
6. Expanding Talent Pools
Relying solely on local labor markets can limit the talent available to hospitality businesses. By casting a wider net and recruiting internationally, employers can access a larger and more varied pool of candidates. This expanded talent pool increases the likelihood of finding highly skilled and motivated individuals who are a perfect fit for the roles needed.
7. Government Support and Initiatives
Many European governments recognize the importance of addressing labour shortages in the hospitality sector and have introduced policies to facilitate the hiring of overseas workers. These initiatives often include streamlined visa processes, training programs, and support for integration into the local community. Such support can make it easier and more attractive for businesses to hire internationally.
8. Enhancing Business Competitiveness
By employing overseas workers, hospitality businesses can enhance their competitiveness. Adequate staffing levels enable higher service standards, shorter waiting times, and a more enjoyable experience for guests. This can lead to better reviews, repeat business, and a stronger reputation in the highly competitive tourism market.
Hiring overseas hospitality workers offers numerous advantages for European tourist destinations struggling with labour shortages. From addressing immediate staffing needs to enriching the cultural and skill diversity within the industry, international recruitment can significantly bolster the tourism sector. As the industry continues to rebound and grow, leveraging the global workforce will be crucial in ensuring that Europe's iconic destinations continue to provide exceptional experiences for visitors from around the world.
