Montenegro's tourism sector faces critical labor shortage, seeking 2,600 workers amid low interest

Montenegro, a popular European tourist destination, is grappling with a severe shortage of seasonal workers this year. Local employers report significant difficulties in recruiting staff for hotels and restaurants, with a total need identified for 2,664 seasonal employees across the country.

The most in-demand positions include waiters, maids, assistant cooks, and cooks – essential roles for the hospitality industry during peak season. The coastal regions are experiencing the highest demand, with over 1,070 positions needed in the Bay of Kotor area (Herceg Novi, Tivat, and Kotor) and nearly 950 in the southern coastal towns of Bar, Budva, and Ulcinj. These areas account for over 75% of the total seasonal staffing requirements.

Despite offering competitive salaries ranging from 700 to 3,000 euros net per month, often supplemented with accommodation and meals, the response from potential workers has been underwhelming. Only 1,307 individuals have expressed interest in seasonal work, and a mere 470 have actually accepted job offers. Salaries in luxury hubs like Tivat and Kotor can be 10-15% higher than in mass tourism areas like Budva, Bar, and Ulcinj.

To address the deficit, authorities have organized job fairs and information sessions. However, experts like economics professor Ivo Županović point to a lack of a coherent human resource development strategy, making the sector increasingly reliant on foreign labor. Data shows most foreign seasonal workers come from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Experts suggest creating a dedicated legal framework for permanent seasonal workers could offer a more stable solution for the tourism labor market.

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The tourism sector in Montenegro is increasingly dependent on labor from outside the country, in the absence of a coherent human resource development strategy.