Some of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations are facing a shortage of workers in the hospitality industry, a critical sector for their economies, according to recent local media reports.
Spain, Italy, and Croatia are among the EU countries in particular need of waiting staff and other hospitality workers, as reported by Schengen.News.
With tourism figures rising post-pandemic, there is an increasing demand for workers in this sector. La Tribuna de Ciudad Real highlighted that Spanish bars and restaurants struggle with staff shortages every summer, with half of the positions expected to remain unfilled in 2024.
Similarly, many restaurants in the Italian region of Abruzzo began the summer season “unprepared,” and also facing a shortage of waiters. The Croatian Employment Service (CES), cited by Total Croatia News, reported that the waiter role was one of the most in-demand jobs in Croatia during 2023. In addition to waiters, other sought-after positions included salespeople and cleaners, making up 17 percent of the total demand for workers.
On the Adriatic coast, the summer season sees a shortage of tourism-related occupations such as cooks, bartenders, valets, cleaners, sealers, pastry chefs, butchers, and bakers.
To meet the growing demands of tourism, many businesses are turning to foreign workers. Emilio Gallego, General Secretary of Hostelería de España, stated that hiring foreign workers is the only solution for many industries to tackle the demand. However, Gonzalo Fuentes, head of the Catering Department of the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), criticized this approach, arguing that improving employee conditions and work-life balance is crucial.
In Abruzzo, Italy, tourism representatives have organized a project to train migrants wishing to work in the restaurant business, as reported by InfoMigrants.
According to the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses, other European countries also face a shortage of hospitality workers, particularly waiters. The report indicated that foreigners in this occupation may have a higher chance of securing employment and a work visa in these countries.
The countries facing a shortage of waiters include:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Germany
- Denmark
- Greece
- Finland
- France
- Croatia
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
Many of these countries also report shortages in other hospitality-related occupations.
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