Tourism in Tyrol has a real problem: guest demand is increasing, but in many places there is a lack of staff. More and more hotels and restaurants can no longer offer all services, according to industry representatives. The search for personnel abroad must be accelerated. Many an employee has a longer journey than the Tyrolean holidaymakers.
The desire to travel increases. And then this: In many places in inns, hotels, mountain huts and restaurants there is a lack of skilled workers. “It’s the same for other sectors,” said Mario Gerber, chairman of the Tyrolean Tourism Board (TTB), never tired of stressing. At the same time, he admits that the problem is especially virulent in tourism.
Winter balance good, even if the pre-crisis level has not yet been reached
Despite the lockdown at the beginning and many restrictions, the winter was “right” with 20.9 million overnight stays, as tourism official LH Günther Platter (ÖVP) puts it. Although the number of overnight stays fell by 24 percent compared to the time before the pandemic, people are satisfied with an added value of 2.61 billion euros and a stay of 4.7 days.
Good booking situation for the summer
The summer also promises to be positive. “Three quarters of companies are satisfied with the booking situation,” Karin Seiler, head of the Tyrol Tourist Board, quoted a survey as saying. So the prospects are rosy – were it not for the lack of staff. Platters like Gerber confirm that due to a lack of employees, some companies cannot fill all the beds that are in high demand.
Looking for staff in Spain and Eastern Europe
What must we do? “With an unemployment rate of a pleasantly low 4.9 percent, we will not find all the strength in Tyrol and we will have to look abroad,” Gerber outlines the situation. The federal government increased the contingent of seasonal workers to almost 1,000 people, but it is not enough, Gerber emphasizes. The Chamber of Commerce demands that any position that the AMS cannot fulfill for a longer period of time must also be able to be filled internationally. They also want to look around in countries like Spain or Portugal, where youth unemployment is high. The Tyrol Tourist Board should also help and thus cover a new area of responsibility.
The labor market in Eastern Europe is also in the spotlight. This means that many workers have a longer journey to get there than holidaymakers. Because this year again, guests are mainly expected from nearby markets such as Germany. Seiler expects an “as good result” as in the previous year. Before the autumn, Gerber is pushing for uniform Europe-wide corona rules, if they are necessary.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
