Harz tourism in danger: Foreigners as saviors in the hospitality industry!

Harz tourism in danger: Foreigners as saviors in the hospitality industry!

The Harz, a popular destination for vacationers and hikers, is facing an urgent workforce challenge. Around 8.12 million overnight guests come to the region every year, but the local hospitality industry is increasingly struggling with a shortage of local staff. Many hotels and restaurants are forced to rely on foreign employees to maintain operations. How news38.de reported, the proportion of foreign workers in the catering and hotel industry in the Harz is higher than in other sectors.

The search for personnel is not limited to seasonal workers. Qualified specialists such as chefs are also in demand. Recruitment of these international employees is influenced by the existing community and the tourist season. In addition, the legal framework for non-EU citizens, including an employment contract and sufficient language skills, is often associated with high hurdles. As the Yahoo News According to reports, lengthy visa procedures mean that businesses sometimes cannot open on time, which further endangers the success of the Harz as a tourist destination.

International skilled workers on the rise

The Harz region, known for its stunning nature and cultural attractions, is increasingly relying on foreign workers to keep tourism going. A survey by the German Press Agency has shown that more and more companies are relying on international employees to secure the tourism infrastructure. This development is not only evident in the Harz Mountains, but also on the East Frisian Islands, where around every second employee in the hospitality industry comes from abroad. This region, which is also popular with tourists, saw the proportion of foreign employees increase from 23% in 2014 to over 36% in 2024, as n-ag.de determines.

Recruitment of foreign workers comes from various countries of origin, including Romania, Poland, Ukraine and Vietnam. A partnership with the Moroccan region of Tangier is supporting the recruitment of workers from North Africa and the first Moroccan trainees are already active in the hospitality industry.

The challenges of the industry

Another problem plaguing the industry is the retention of this workforce. While it is possible to attract international employees, the question of how to retain them in the long term often remains unanswered. Many choose to move to larger cities, where the quality of life and professional opportunities are often better perceived. The Harz region therefore runs the risk of losing valuable skilled workers who are urgently needed elsewhere.

In summary, the Harz is a fascinating travel destination, but one that relies on the support of international workers to ensure its tourism success. The need for workers is not going away, and the challenges remain great - this requires a joint commitment from politics, society and business to find sustainable solutions.