Working conditions and job quality in hospitality and tourism: A comparative analysis with recommendations

The hospitality and tourism industry is facing a historic labour shortage caused by low unemployment and migration to industries with higher wages and better working conditions. Decent working conditions and the quality of jobs are key factors that increase the attractiveness of occupations and prevent labour migration. However, employment practises in the Slovenian hospitality and tourism sector are insufficiently researched, which prevents appropriate action at government, industry and company level.

The project fills this gap by setting two research objectives:

1. to gain new insights into working conditions and job quality in the hospitality and tourism sector in Slovenia;
2. to propose solutions to staff shortages in the hospitality and tourism sector based on sound empirical data and examples of good practise.

International studies describe the problems of HR departments, which are faced with high staff turnover due to seasonal fluctuations and other factors, which has a negative impact on business. They want highly motivated and goal-orientated employees who put their heart and soul into their work. However, they also know that poor working conditions lead to employee dissatisfaction. The available Slovenian data shows a similar situation. Of all sectors, hospitality and tourism have the lowest incomes. In addition, the sector has an above-average proportion of self-employed workers, students and migrants. There is also a severe labour shortage following the Covid-19 pandemic. This has led to proposals for short-term solutions, such as removing barriers to the employment of foreigners and importing new labour. But if the industry wants to retain its employees and attract job seekers, it needs to improve the quality of jobs.

To support long-term solutions, the project addresses the issue of working conditions on two levels:

1. by comparing seven European countries – Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Germany, France and Italy;
2. through an in-depth field study in two tourist destinations, Piran and Kranjska Gora, the municipalities with the highest proportion of employees in this sector.

Project team:

Peace institute

• Maja Breznik (SICRIS)

University of Maribor, Faculty of Tourism

• Maja Turnšek (SICRIS)
• Jerneja Šavrič (SICRIS)
• Blaž Rodič (SICRIS)
• Tina Šegota (SICRIS)

Project number:  V5-24019.

Partners:

University of Maribor, Faculty of Tourism

Funders:

• The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency - ARIS
• Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia