Labour Shortage Challenges Tourism Industry Amid Record Visitor Surge

09:25 14/5/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

As the tourism industry gears up for a record-breaking season, a critical challenge looms: a significant labor shortage in the sector remains unresolved.

The previous year witnessed a deficit of nearly 60,000 workers, encompassing both unskilled and skilled positions, such as kitchen staff and receptionists. This year, the gap is projected to widen to 80,000. In 2023, the influx of foreign tourists peaked at 33 million, while

the average employment in tourism was 383,000. This translates to each employee catering to 86 visitors. Greece’s commitment to quality over low-cost offerings, in contrast to competitors like Turkey, underscores the urgency to fill employment vacancies.

Innovative JOBmatch Platform Aims to Resolve Employment Gaps

The JOBmatch platform, launched yesterday, seeks to address the exodus of young workers from the tourism sector, particularly in catering. The platform aims to reconcile the needs of businesses with job seekers who demand fair employment conditions. Exhaustive work hours, unpaid overtime, and poor living conditions, especially in tourist-saturated islands, have driven the workforce away. The platform facilitates the creation of business profiles and job listings, offering a streamlined process for matching employers with potential employees.

JOBmatch: Bridging Employers and Job Seekers

The application, available for free on Android and iOS, allows users to create profiles and specify job preferences. Employers can then search for candidates using various filters, including experience and desired wages. Notifications for interviews are sent through the app, with the option for phone interviews as well.

The platform promises a four-step process to employment: matching with an opportunity, confirming interest, scheduling an interview, and securing the job. Ratings for both employers and employees after job completion ensure transparency and accountability.

As the tourism industry prepares for a busy season, the JOBmatch platform stands as a beacon of hope for resolving the labor shortage, ensuring that Greece maintains its reputation for quality tourism.

Translated by ANTHEE CARASSAVA

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