The new touristic season in Durrës has started with old problems. Even this year, businesses in town are facing a lack of manpower, while the city is highly dependent on tourism.
“It’s a fact that more people are leaving and there is less qualified manpower in the sector,” says Alban Isteri, head of the Commerce and Industry Chamber in Durrës.
Absences start from sanitary staff to kitchen or SPA centers staff.
“All sectors are affected, especially the sanitary sector, kitchens and services. There is a lack of stewards,” confesses Xhoana Gjineci, manager of a hotel in Durrës.
This forced local businesses to hire foreign workers, even for this season.
“These last years we’ve tried opening applications to Nepal or the Philippines. Even though there are hardships in filling out documentations for them, we’ve managed to overcome it,” adds Gjineci.
For tour-operators this translates to higher costs and more problems.
“Foreign workers have added costs, such as flight tickets, accommodation, or food. For each foreign worker, you must pay extra, maybe even 1000 euros,” says Blerim Norja, tour-operator in Durrës.
But what is the reason that the lack of manpower is still the main concern to businesses, even after years of successful touristic seasons?
“The main problem are youngsters who prefer leaving. They think they’ll find better conditions elsewhere than in Albania,” reasons Gjineci.
70% of staff in the coastal city is covered by permanent staff of these subjects, meanwhile foreign workers make up for 30% of it. However, the problematic has become even more urgent, as Durrës unofficially started this summer season on May 1st. More than 1 million tourists are expected to visit the city.
