As Croatia braces for another bustling tourist season, the demand for seasonal workers in hospitality and tourism has surged to unprecedented levels, with an estimated 70,000 positions to fill. However, finding qualified staff remains a significant challenge.
To combat this, employers are offering higher wages—up to €1,800 for chefs and €1,600 for waiters—in an attempt to lure workers.
In an effort to bridge the gap, job fairs like “Tourism Jobs Days” have been held in several cities, connecting employers with potential employees.
Major hotel chains are finalising recruitment ahead of May, while smaller businesses are increasingly turning to workers from outside the EU to fill roles.
Kvarner, a popular region, has seen a 15% increase in tourist numbers, but the strain on staffing persists.
With a growing reliance on returning seasonal workers from former Yugoslav states, and extended seasons stretching from seven to eight months, the Croatian tourism sector faces a paradox: booming visitor numbers and a constant struggle to secure enough hands to cater to them.
