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Romania Faces Severe Hospitality Staff Shortage Amidst Peak Season

Writer's picture: meowdinimeowdini
May 21, 20242 min read

Soaring Salaries Abroad Lure Romanian Workers, Leaving Domestic Industry Struggling

As the summer season approaches and tourism picks up, Romania's hospitality sector is grappling with a severe staff shortage, the worst in five years. This crisis stems from a mass exodus of experienced workers seeking higher-paying opportunities abroad.


The Allure of Foreign Wages:

  • Attracted by significantly higher salaries, over 80% of Romanian hospitality professionals are opting to work overseas.

  • In countries like Spain, Greece, and Italy, they can earn wages of up to €4,000, a stark contrast to the starting salaries of just 3,000 lei (€620) at home.

  • Even with tips and, in some cases, accommodation and meals provided, the overall earnings in Romania fall far short of the foreign alternatives.


Domestic Industry Struggles to Compete:

  • The hospitality sector along Romania's Black Sea coast is in dire need of at least 5,000 new employees.

  • However, the lack of available workers is forcing employers to turn to inexperienced staff, requiring extensive training.

  • This further strains resources and hinders smooth operations, especially during the peak summer season when restaurants and terraces are filled to capacity.


Desperate Employers Resort to Training Inexperienced Staff:

  • "They come for internships, do the internship, and then leave," laments Dumitru Gurgui, a representative of a hotel complex.

  • "We train them, and then they all dream of going abroad. Probably because the salaries are better," expresses a representative of a tourist complex.


Calls for Government Intervention:

  • Industry representatives are urging the government to take action to address the crisis, including:

  • Implementing measures to make working in the Romanian hospitality sector more attractive, such as tax breaks and increased minimum wages.

  • Investing in vocational training programs to create a skilled workforce.

  • Promoting Romanian tourism abroad to boost demand and potentially increase revenue for domestic businesses, enabling them to offer more competitive salaries.


The Looming Impact:

  • If the staff shortage persists, it could significantly impact Romania's tourism industry, leading to longer wait times for customers, reduced service quality, and even business closures.

  • Prompt action is crucial to avert such negative consequences and ensure the sustainability of the hospitality sector, a vital contributor to the Romanian economy.



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