Where are Dubrovnik’s young workers? Tourism industry struggling to fill jobs as season approaches 

Dubrovnik

With the tourist season fast approaching, Dubrovnik is gearing up for another busy summer. However, a familiar challenge remains – a shortage of young workers in hospitality and tourism.

As HRT reports, employers are increasingly turning to foreign workers to fill the gaps.

Mateo Benussi, a third-year student at Dubrovnik’s Tourism and Hospitality School, recently won a gold medal for his culinary skills at a European competition in Riga.

Despite his passion for the industry, he plans to work abroad after finishing school.

“This is a job you really have to love. I want to gain experience and knowledge overseas before returning home,” Benussi told HRT.

His mentor, Željko Puljić from Akademis Garište, praised the dedication of students like Mateo.

“They already have great skills and don’t need much explaining. It’s like working with real colleagues,” he said.

Another student, Alen Šehidić, brought home a bronze medal for hotel management. His task was to rebrand a hotel by analysing its operations and making improvements.

“I had to study the hotel’s data with my team and find ways to fix mistakes, big or small, to improve its business,” he explained.

Students sharpen their skills at Akademis Garište, a newly opened training centre where they work under the guidance of mentors in real-life hospitality settings.

“We have modern equipment and well-furnished rooms. Since opening on 19 November, our students have been actively working and gaining hands-on experience,” said Antun Perušina, the school’s principal.

Demand Exceeds Supply

Dubrovnik’s Tourism and Hospitality School currently has 500 students. However, even if all of them pursued careers in the industry, it wouldn’t be enough to meet the growing demand for workers.

“Last year, our county issued almost 11,000 work permits for non-EU workers, mostly in tourism and hospitality – for waiters, assistant waiters, and hotel cleaners,” explained Katarina Krile from the Croatian Employment Service in Dubrovnik.

So far this year, over 2,000 work permits for foreign workers have already been issued, and that number is expected to match or exceed last year’s.

Investing in Local Talent

Despite the reliance on foreign workers, the quality of service still depends on education and investing in young local talent.

With better incentives and opportunities, more young people might choose to stay and work in Dubrovnik’s thriving tourism industry.