Hired for the tourist season in a 5 -star hotel in Greece, Katerina threw in the towel after barely a month. In question: the working conditions deemed “unacceptable” in this key sector of the economy.
“I couldn’t go anymore!”, Dishars this management and tourism student at the University of Thessaloniki who did not wish to give her family name.
Employed on a chalcidic marketing position, the main tourist destination in North Greece, “I was asked to work in any other hotel service, according to needs (…) including cleaning,” she criticizes.
Katerina, whose remuneration reached 1,100 euros net per month, also denounces “unacceptable” working conditions.
“We were staying in a space with eight people, without air conditioning or washing machine,” explains the 22-year-old woman.
– Low wages –
Tourism, despite a record of more than 36 million arrivals in 2024, suffered a lack of personnel due in particular due to low emoluments for extension hours and with few days of rest.
Basic wages of employees in hotels vary between 950 and 1,000 euros, depending on the specialty, to which premiums can be added.
The operators of the sector, who are however optimistic this year, are concerned about this glaring lack of labor for the peak of the season in July and August.
About 20% of positions have remained vacant in recent years and forecasts are similar for 2025, according to several studies.
Owner of a beach bar and a small chalcidic hotel, Markos Kesidis does not get by.
“Even we, the owners, are forced to do the service because of the lack of staff!” He faces.
“I need 20 people for my beach bar in high season. Today, it is almost impossible to find as much,” he adds.
– 54,000 vacant jobs –
Engine in the Greek economy, tourism brought in 30.2 billion euros in 2024, or 13% of the country’s GDP, according to the Research Institute of the Greek Confederation of Tourism (Insete).
Last year, 54,000 jobs did not find a taker out of the 278,000 estimated in hotels, notes the Institute for Research on Tourism (ITEP).
This year, the number of vacant positions “will remain at the same level,” says Konstantina Svynou, president of ITEP.
In search of alternative, many hoteliers are looking to recruit seasonal workers abroad.
More than 46% of hoteliers have thus expressed their intention to hire foreign staff this year, more than 28,000 people, according to ITEP.
For cleaning, dishes and other low -skilled jobs, Greek hoteliers often employ staff from non -EU countries, according to this survey.
– Refugees –
In Chalcidic, hotel associations have also turned to refugees housed in reception centers, but the approach has not so far met the expected success.
“In total, 110 people responded but currently there are only ten who work in the hotels in the region,” deplores Grigoris Tasios, president of the Association of Chalcidic hoteliers.
According to him, “most fear that once the season over, they can no longer find their accommodation in reception centers”.
In its region, which has 540 hotels and where 14,000 people should work, the shortage of staff amounts to more than 10%.
“Several hotels hired workers from India and the Philippines,” said Grigoris Tasios.
On the most touristy islands of the Aegean Sea, especially in the cyclades, the use of foreign staff is massive.
“In the (luxury) hotel where I work, we are a team of 70 employees, including only 14 Greeks,” said Maria Angeli, 54, from Santorini, one of the most touristy islands.
Her colleagues come from African countries, Nepal or Bangladesh, she said, noting that the Greeks, especially young people, no longer want these jobs.
Restoration also suffers from a significant lack of staff. Customers are thus increasing the panels and posters in the storefronts: “Looking for personal” or “Urgent” servers.
