Harz hospitality industry is struggling: Foreign skilled workers urgently needed!

Harz hospitality industry is struggling: Foreign skilled workers urgently needed!

The Harz – a popular travel destination for hiking enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation – is currently struggling with an urgent problem: the lack of local workers in the hospitality industry. Despite the thousands of holidaymakers arriving every year, the situation for hotels and restaurants is tense. Many companies increasingly have to rely on foreign employees to maintain operations. As the News38 reported that conditions have changed noticeably in recent years. The proportion of foreign workers in the hospitality industry has increased significantly and is higher than in other sectors.

A survey shows that EU citizens can move and work freely within the community, while non-EU citizens have specific access requirements. However, recruiting these workers is often difficult - visa procedures are lengthy, which can lead to companies not being able to open on time. This in turn has an impact on the tourist season, which should always be a good guarantee for business in the Harz.

The challenge of skilled workers

The shortage of skilled workers is not just a regional problem, but affects the entire industry in Germany. According to a current study by IW Cologne, there was a shortage of around 8,800 skilled workers in the hotel and hospitality industry in June 2024 - a worrying decline, but one that represents an improvement compared to the previous year. In 2023, the skills gap was still over 16,000. Nevertheless, the situation is described as precarious, as many companies are suffering from time pressure and rising costs. In addition to the search for personnel, the economic situation also remains tense: hotels and restaurants recorded a decline in sales of almost 11 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year. This has also led to a decline in profits of 22 percent, increasing the willingness to recruit foreign skilled workers to bridge shortages such as the daily news determines.

The long-term retention of foreign workers remains a problem, as many decide after a short time to move to larger cities, where the quality of life and earning potential are often better. Nevertheless, new opportunities have opened up in many regions, such as the North Sea coast. On the East Frisian Islands, for example, more than every second employee in the hospitality industry is a foreign employee, although the origin of the workers often varies.

Dad's role and future behind and in front

In addition, there is a remarkable trend in the industry: companies are increasingly relying on unskilled workers and prepared meals in order to continue to meet requirements. The reasons for this development lie in the strong competition for skilled workers and the constant need to respond flexibly to market developments. Recruiting foreign workers is crucial here, and the Harz region is not alone. In many places, the state government actively supports recruitment, for example through partnerships with countries like Morocco.

Overall, the job market in the hospitality industry continues to be a critical point. It remains to be seen how the industry will adapt and what measures can be taken to attract and retain the much-needed workforce in the long term. The Harz has to fight not to turn the unsuspecting holiday idyll into a precarious reality.