pt.euronews.com
European Hotels Face Severe Staffing Shortages
A Booking.com and Statista survey of 1,160 European hotel executives reveals that 47% struggle to hire skilled workers, with independent hotels planning to hire 2.72 employees and chain hotels 5.85 in the next year; challenges vary by country and role, with management positions hardest to fill.
- How do hiring needs and challenges vary across different types of hotels and countries within the European Union?
- The hiring challenges vary significantly across EU countries. Greece and Spain plan to hire 8.8 and 8.3 employees respectively, while Germany and Austria plan to hire only 1.6 and 2.4. Larger, more sophisticated companies have greater hiring needs. Common needs are for low-skilled, seasonal roles (cleaning, F&B, reception) which are easier to fill, unlike management positions.
- What are the most significant hiring challenges faced by European hoteliers, and what are the immediate consequences?
- Almost half (47%) of European hoteliers struggle to hire and retain workers with the right skills or experience, according to the Booking.com and Statista European Accommodation Barometer 2025. The study surveyed 1,160 executives and managers in the European accommodation sector. Independent hotels plan to hire 2.72 employees in the next 12 months, while chain hotels expect to hire about 5.85.
- What are the long-term implications of the skills gap in the European hospitality sector, and what measures can be taken to address it?
- The European Accommodation Barometer 2025 reveals a significant skills gap, particularly affecting small, independent establishments due to limited training resources. 17% of independent accommodations offer no training, compared to only 2% of chain accommodations. High salary expectations and work-life balance issues are major challenges, especially in Italy (70%) and Nordic countries (63%).
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing of the report emphasizes the challenges and difficulties faced by hoteliers in recruiting and retaining staff. While it presents data on varying levels of hiring intentions across different EU countries, the overall narrative focuses more on the negative aspects of the situation, potentially overshadowing the positive aspects of growth and investment in the sector. The headline and introduction could be restructured to present a more balanced perspective.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses primarily on the challenges faced by European hoteliers in hiring and retaining staff, particularly regarding skills gaps and seasonal demands. While the report mentions the impact of high salary expectations and work-life balance issues, it could benefit from a more in-depth exploration of other potential contributing factors, such as broader economic conditions or government policies related to the hospitality industry. Additionally, the report's scope is limited to the surveyed hoteliers, and therefore may not fully represent the experiences of all hospitality businesses across Europe.
Sustainable Development Goals
The European Accommodation Barometer 2025 highlights a significant challenge in the hospitality sector: difficulty in recruiting and retaining skilled workers. This negatively impacts economic growth as businesses struggle to operate at full capacity due to staff shortages. The report points to skill gaps, particularly in management positions, and difficulties in attracting qualified candidates due to factors like high salary expectations and work-life balance concerns. This directly affects the SDG's target of promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. The lack of training opportunities, especially in smaller independent establishments, further exacerbates the problem and hinders the development of a skilled workforce.