The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented disruptor, and young people aged 15 to 25 have borne the brunt of its impact, particularly in the tourism sector. This pandemic-induced crisis has intensified existing labor market challenges faced by young individuals, making it increasingly difficult to access gainful employment especially related to tourism sector.
The tourism sector was brought to a standstill by lockdowns, travel restrictions, and plummeting revenues for more than 2 years on the run. Many young individuals found themselves out of work, while others hesitated to enter again the industry amidst uncertainty.
Today, the tourism sector has been gradually in rise again! New recruitment opportunities in the tourism sector became evident in last years. However, key challenges are there! Young people, often lacking the experience or the skills needed by tourism businesses! Both lockdowns and the distance learning approach endorsed during Covid -19 seriously impact this young’s generation upskilling process. As an example, distance learning did not provide the same level of practical training needed and the one that could be gained via hands-on experiences! Evidently, there is some truth in the arguments of hotelliers about that in 2023 youngest workers lack some key skills in customer services in tourist industry! But as you can read below, it is not the only one!
The Struggle of Hoteliers in the Greek Islands, Philip Panas, Operation Manager-Alexander the Great Hotel
The enchanting Greek islands, with their idyllic beauty and Mediterranean charm, have become a magnet for tourists worldwide. However, behind the postcard-perfect scenery lies a daunting challenge for hotel owners – finding and accommodating staff. As the influx of visitors soars during peak seasons, the demand for hospitality services reaches new heights, leaving hotels grappling with the scarcity of skilled personnel. The seasonal nature of the industry, coupled with remote island locations, compounds the difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified employees. Housing them presents yet another hurdle, as affordable and suitable accommodations become scarce commodities. In the quest to provide exceptional experiences to guests, hoteliers are forced to adopt innovative solutions, navigating shared lodgings and temporary arrangements to ensure their teams can continue delivering warm hospitality in paradise.
Obviously, the challenges faced by Greek island hotels is more intense! These remote islands due to its population size have a limited local talent pool obliging them to attract employees from densely populated areas! This solution of course generates a new challenge how to find suitable accommodations for employees! Evidently, Greek remote island hotels face significant challenges in recruiting and accommodating skilled staff due to the seasonal nature of the industry and their territorial characteristics.
YOUTHShare had tried to help remote island hoteliers by providing a pool of possible youth workers! Of course, not always successful, as the same problem of highly demanded tourist personnel is steadily increasing!
On the other hand, young people are not willing to work in tourist industry! The seasonal character of the work and the existing preconceptions about working conditions are a deterrent to this career choice! They usually see it as temporary job to supplement their income during their studies!
YOUTHShare trainee, No name
“Undeclared work, informal forms of employment (part-time, temporary), dependent employment relationships, low wages, unpaid overtime are some of the issues that young people nowadays encounter more and more frequently, especially in the tourist sector. Also, many young people, especially those who choose to work “in season”, are also faced with poor working conditions, with many employers not even following the legislation with employment contracts and insurance for the employee. Working in the tourism sector is often unfortunately translated as working long hours, which it is not actually reflected in the pay. Working for 6-8 hours per day under sun, extreme heat conditions and pressure, for a salary that may not exceed 4 euros per hour. Finally, due to pandemic and the lockdowns employers claim losses and choose to hire less people than the one that they actually need. Why on earth to choose to work in tourist sector? For working no more than 3 months of the year? It’s ok for now, but I am looking for another career choice.
Obviously, the high youth unemployment that exists is not due to insufficient demand for labour on the part of employers, which is the usual type of unemployment, but to the mismatch between the jobs on offer and the skills available on the market.In absolute numbers, staff shortages based on the data of “Insete” amounted to 60,225 of the 262,981 jobs provided based on the organizational chart of Greek hotels in 2022 and it is more this year! This mismatch between the jobs on offer and the skills available on the market were increase due to pandemic.
Organizations, and educational institutions are essential to revitalize the industry and offer targeted support and training to young individuals seeking opportunities within this sector.
YOUTHShare was able to organize the most needed internships in the tourist sector as well during its years of operation, and able to match the needed personnel with the well –fitted employer! Greece, employers and hotel industry need to invest more in targeted training and internship in tourist industry sector! By investing in initiatives that promote tourism-related skill development, mentorship programs, and entrepreneurial ventures, we can ensure that young people are equipped to flourish in the transformed tourism landscape. A strategic focus on the youth will foster resilience and adaptability, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the industry’s resurgence.
Aimilia Markaki, KAM NESC,
YOUTHShare Project
