Study: Greek Tourism Sector Short of 60,000 Employees in 2022

Greece’s tourism industry was short of 60,000 employees in 2022, according to data released this week by INSETE, the Greek Tourism Confederation’s (SETE) research body.

One in five jobs (23 percent) or 60,225 of the 262,981 related to tourism was never covered last year due to difficulty finding staff.

According to INSETE’s study titled “Employment and Labor Shortages at Greek Hotels During Peak Summer Season 2022” conducted by the Institute for Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP), the number of available jobs increased in 2022 compared to 2021 but shortages remained at the same level.

Almost half (45 percent) of all shortages were reported in F&B (13,557 or 23 percent of the total shortages) and housekeeping (13,324 or 22 percent of total shortages), followed by kitchens (10,150 or 17 percent) and front desk (9,320 or 15 percent).

Of Greece’s 10,133 hotels, 40 percent reported that at least one housekeeping position had not been covered, 26 percent for receptionists, 26 percent for wait staff and 21 percent for dishwashers.

According to INSETE:

– housekeeping – 7,360 vacant positions or 12 percent of the total shortages

– wait staff – 5,164 or 9 percent of all shortages

– assistant wait staff – 3,883 or 6 percent of all shortages

– receptionists – 3,460 or 6 percent of all shortages

– barista/barman-barwoman – 2,729 or 5 percent of all shortages

– dishwashers – 2.866 or 5 percent of total shortages

– technical support – 2,054 or 3 percent of all shortages.

Specialized positions with the largest shortage based on planning was sommelier (57 percent), followed by guest relations executive (41 percent), assistant gardener (37 percent), and assistant receptionist (35 percent).

In terms of regions, 24 percent of all work shortages (14,346 vacant jobs) were recorded in the South Aegean Region, followed by Crete (18 percent, 10,808 positions), Central Macedonia (10 percent, 5,891 positions), and on the Ionian Islands (14 percent, 8,378 positions).

Earlier this month, in an effort to address the growing problem of staff shortages, the government revised a law enabling tourism businesses to hire employees from third countries to meet  demands.