
One in two job vacancies today is in the tourism sector. On the eve of the height of the summer tourist season, bars, restaurants or hotels in the country are suffering for waiters, bartenders, cooks, sanitary workers, as well as for drivers, guides, cicerones and managers. There are about 2,000 vacancies on the eve of the massive summer season.
"It is mainly about the kitchen staff. The whole south is searching. They are paid with staggering salaries", said the president of the Association of Restaurants and Inns, Kujtim Dervishi.
The biggest challenge of this season for tourist operators is the provision of a quality service, which is under the pressure of a lack of employees. And this lack, especially of qualified human resources, is turning into a direct cost for everyone in general and tourism in particular.
"We have appealed to the government in the meetings we have had about what we can offer to the emigrants so that they can return and work in Albania", said Dervishi.
After almost a 5-year "fruitless experience" with the experiment to bring labor force from abroad, now everyone's eyes are on the vocational schools in the country.
"If you notice, the state has also turned its attention to vocational schools. They should be the source for the labor force we are looking for", emphasized Dervishi.
Data from the World Tourism and Travel Council show that, although with fluctuations over the years, the tourism sector directly and indirectly employs over 200,000 people every year. This figure reached over 260 thousand last year, while the forecasts are that within this year the figure will reach over 300 thousand.
At a time when tourism is only growing, what can be said for sure is that it is becoming increasingly difficult who will host them.