On March 18, 2025, the picturesque city of Dubrovnik, often referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic, is facing a pressing labor force challenge that threatens its thriving tourism industry. With an alarming shortage of young local employees, the region has increasingly turned to foreign workers to fill needed positions. Year after year, local tourism operators have reported difficulties in hiring domestic staff, which they have now deemed essential for preparing for the upcoming tourism season.
Poslovni Dnevnik elaborates that while the city's tourism and hospitality school currently hosts around 500 students, this number is insufficient to meet the demands of an industry that requires a far greater workforce. Even if every student from this program were to enter the local job market and pursue careers in tourism, Dubrovnik would still find itself struggling to satisfy the high demand for personnel.
Katarina Krile, the head of the CES Dubrovnik Regional Office, highlighted the growing reliance on foreign workers during her statement to HRT. She noted, “Last year, almost 11,000 positive opinions were issued by the Interior Ministry for the employment of third-country nationals in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. These positions mostly in the local tourism and hospitality sector, such as waiters, assistant waiters, cleaners, hotel cleaners and so forth.” This statement underscores the critical nature of the labor issue at hand and the reliance on international workforce integration.
The numbers reveal a concerning trend: In 2024 alone, the CES positively resolved over 10,000 requests for opinions concerning work permits for foreign nationals entering the workforce, primarily touching upon the tourism sector. As of early 2025, approximately 3,000 requests have already been lodged with the CES for new work permits. This trend indicates that the shortage is not just a fleeting concern but rather a looming crisis likely to intensify as the tourism season approaches.
Employers in the region have expressed difficulties in finding suitable candidates for a variety of roles. The most sought-after positions currently encompass housekeepers, salespeople, cooks and chefs, nurses, cleaners, civil engineers, and receptionists. These roles are critical to the integrity of services provided to tourists, making the need for effective recruitment strategies more urgent than ever.
The ongoing struggle to address these gaps in labor highlights a deeper issue within the local educational system. Stakeholders argue that the education and training programs currently in place do not align with the evolving needs and expectations of the labor market. This disconnect suggests a necessity for realignments within the curriculum to prepare students for the realities of today's job landscape, especially in sectors that see fluctuating seasonal demands such as tourism.
With travel and tourism continuing to be a fundamental part of Dubrovnik's economy, the implications of not having an adequate workforce are substantial. Should the lack of young workers persist, the city may find itself jeopardizing its status as a premier tourist destination. As local businesses scramble to fill vacancies, reliance on foreign labor could lead to complications down the line concerning integration, logistical challenges on the ground, and regulatory issues concerning work permits.
Local authorities and educational institutions must now work collaboratively to devise solutions that not only address the labor shortage but also prepare future generations of hospitality workers. Increasing partnerships with local businesses, enhancing vocational training opportunities, and promoting the advantages of careers in tourism among youth could be essential strategies moving forward.
Ultimately, Dubrovnik's tourism sector stands at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming months will dictate not only the immediate encore of the summer season but the long-term viability of its employment landscape. Without strategic initiatives aimed at boosting local employment and adjusting educational focus, this historic city might risk losing its labor integral to the industry, thus challenging its economic resilience.
