Hoteliers are sending a message of anxiety to the Minister of Labor, Zeta Aimilianidou, who are returning more urgently than ever to the problem of finding staff, as reported on state radio.
A breath before the start of the summer season, as reported in the report, and at a time when hotels have increased and beds have tripled in the countryside, there is a serious shortage of manpower.
The stakeholders are talking about the biggest problem facing the hotel industry right now. In addition, they report that the staff needs for the start of the season are very high, while a request was made by all those involved, except the unions, for the recruitment of foreign students to meet the huge needs.
However, it was pointed out that hoteliers are looking for foreigners and not only students for second and third line professions, ie auxiliary professions that do not seem to be attractive and popular for Cypriots.
The tourism industry is the locomotive of the Cypriot economy, says the president of PASYXE Famagusta, Doros Takkas, and the development of tourism has not been accidental in recent years. However, hoteliers, who have serious problems, need the help of the state, especially with regard to this issue.
"Without staff," explains Takkas, "hotels cannot be opened. We therefore recommend that the state grant permission for students studying in the tourism industry to work, not only to gain experience but also to strengthen the staff. ”
"It was not," he continued, "that the development of tourism has been accidental in recent years. They also briefed Deputy Tourism Minister Savva Perdio on the issue, who promised to study the issue.
Source: “Morning Itinerary” Third Program of RIK / Despina Pourekkou