Albania is enjoying a surge in tourism, with more and more foreign visitors flocking to the country’s beautiful northern mountains and historic centres. In October alone, tourist numbers were up by 9% compared to the same time last year. But while this boom is great for the country’s economy, it’s creating a problem: a shortage of workers.
Around 762,000 foreign visitors came to Albania last month, attracted by the country’s stunning landscapes and rich history. The northern regions, in particular, are proving to be increasingly popular with tourists. But businesses in the tourism sector are struggling to find enough staff to keep up with the demand.
Rozafa Zmijani, head of the Regional Employment Office in Shkodër, points out that while there are more than 500 job vacancies in the area, many of them aren’t in the tourism sector. The gap between the jobs available and the skilled workers needed is widening.
“The demand for workers in tourism is growing, but we’re not seeing enough qualified applicants, especially ahead of the busy season,” says Zmijani.
Experts agree that better collaboration between businesses, vocational schools, and universities is crucial to address the issue. While educational institutions are doing their part, their capacity to train workers is still limited. Alkida Hasaj, who heads the tourism department at the University of Shkodër, says that while tourism graduates are well-prepared, the demand for skilled workers still far outpaces the supply.
To help bridge the gap, programmes like “Your Job” are working to train young people for careers in tourism. But despite the opportunities, many young workers are leaving Albania in search of better prospects elsewhere.
For Albania’s tourism sector to keep growing, experts believe the key will be investing in workforce development. Without a reliable, skilled workforce, the industry’s success could be short-lived.
