Taverns, bars, and cafes in all of the country's tourist areas They close earlier, change the menus—removing "fancy" dishes—and reduce the number of tables, they’re enlisting friends and relatives to help out in the kitchen and with serving to cover the shifts, while in many cases the business owners have put on their aprons again. Some of them have even taken to the kitchen, while others are laying out tablecloths so they can keep their businesses running and meet the increased influx of tourists. This scene can be seen on many Aegean islands as well as in Chalkidiki—in early August—and even though we are in the heart of summer, this is jeopardizing both the quality of services provided and the reputation of Greek hospitality.
Job vacancies in the tourism sector are increasing, rather than decreasing, due to burnout
Job vacancies across all the islands and tourist destinations are increasing rather than decreasing, despite the commendable efforts of everyone involved in the tourism industry, as many workers cannot cope with the working conditions and… quit right in the middle of the tourist season.
«According to official figures from the Ministry of Tourism, the tourism industry was short 40,000 to 50,000 workers at the start of the season. Not only have these vacancies not been filled, but those who went to work this year are beginning to quit due to the pressure and the circumstances.”. »If others leave as well, that number could reach as high as 60,000." says in ethnos.gr o Tassos Zisopoulos, President of the Federation of Chefs of Greece, adding that this phenomenon is observed mainly among young chefs and pastry chefs, and to a lesser extent among waitstaff. “We still have the summer ahead of us, and when an employee works longer hours, the question is whether they’ll be able to keep up until the end of the season,” he notes. Georgios Gkilis, President of the Halkidiki Chamber of Commerce and Industry.«We’re all human beings, and we all have our own limitations. I’m afraid that other vacancies will arise because of people who won’t be able to cope,» he adds.
«This is the first year we’ve faced this problem on such a scale, and it’s not just a Greek phenomenon but a pan-European one. It seems much more difficult than it initially appeared,» adds the Yiannis Roussos, president of the Cyclades Chamber of Commerce.
More and more business owners are trying every trick in the book to get through the season and cope with the surge in tourism, haphazardly patching up the… gaps created by staff shortages. «Even the shop owners have rolled up their sleeves—either working overtime, calling on relatives for help, or counting on the loyalty of their long-time staff, whom they’ve employed for years and consider family.”» says Mr. Gilis
Stores are closing early because they can't fill their shifts
In the kitchen, the people with specialized training are constantly forced to do the most difficult tasks, while the younger staff are left to do the menial and routine work. This year, even high school graduates and college students working day jobs to make ends meet through the difficult winter ahead have joined the ranks of those filling the vacant positions.
On many islands, quite a few bars close at midnight, while cafes and taverns open later—and not at noon—because the staff aren’t available. «Quite a few restaurants are operating shorter hours and have limited seating. This is a dangerous balancing act. To have so many tourists coming after all these years—after enduring the memoranda and the pandemic—to have so many obligations, to see the work piling up and not be able to keep up—that’s a balancing act,» notes the Yiannis Papadopoulos, president of the Naxos Restaurant Association.
Bid-Rising Effects and Worker Mobility from One Job to Another in the Cyclades
The phenomenon of workers moving from one job to another is also widespread. As the president of Cyclades Chamber of Commerce, «We’re seeing a situation where employees choose the workplace that offers the best conditions for them, with the result that one day one business faces a problem and the next day another does. However, small and family-owned businesses are managing to persevere. They are relying on their own resources to make it through the year,» notes Mr. Roussos.
Concerns about the impact that the labor shortage will have on the services provided
More and more market players are concerned about the impact that growing labor shortages will have on the final tourism product and on the services provided to tourists. «They say 30 million to 35 million tourists will come, and it’ll be chaos. The question is whether the conditions will be in place for businesses to handle the influx. On the one hand, they won’t be able to meet their targets to cover their costs and pay their obligations, and on the other hand, the quality of services will be low, and this year won’t be the »flagship year’ we were hoping for,” emphasizes the president of the Naxos Restaurant Association.
«It may not be apparent this year, but next year—if we do not take timely measures, given the pressure the labor force will face—the problem will be even more acute,» adds Mr. Mr. Roussos.
They are seeking staff from other countries to fill the vacancies for the upcoming tourist season
To address the staff shortage next season, the presidents of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry favor the solution of bringing in workers from third countries. «It is necessary to reexamine certain issues, as has been tentatively begun with regard to working conditions—always while ensuring workers» rights. However, all realize that in a tourist area, there must be an agreement between workers and employers because during a season when the pace is intense and we work for five months, the market cannot function under the rules that currently exist. There must be special arrangements that protect both employees and employers,” emphasizes Mr. Roussos.
Timos Fakalis
