Recruitment and retention in the tourism sector has become less difficult for the third year in a row, new research by Fáilte Ireland has found.
But the report says that while measures taken by employers to tackle the issue seem to be having an overall positive effect, there is still a tight labour market.
The number of employers in the sector reporting considerable difficulty in recruiting chefs has fallen from 88% in 2021 to 54% this year.
24% of employers also said they were having problems recruiting bar service staff at present, compared to 70% in 2021.
62% said they could not recruit waters and waitresses three years ago, but that has fallen to 17% today.
However, around a third say they still have difficulties taking on drivers and managers today.
There has also been a marked improvement in retention levels across the various job types in the sector.
“It’s encouraging to see the progress our sector has made in creating appealing workplaces and narrowing the gap in recruitment and retention since 2022,” said Jenny De Saulles, Director of Sector Development at Fáilte Ireland.
“However, we must keep building on this momentum.”
“In a competitive labour market, it’s clear that there’s no room to ease up – businesses need to keep innovating, listening to their employees, and striving to make tourism a sector of choice for long-term, meaningful careers.”
Two thirds of providers said the impact of the remaining problems in recruitment and retention add stress to their jobs, while 60% said it has a negative impact on customer experience.
But just 14% say it is a risk to business viability, compared to 30% in 2021.
The research also found that despite notable gains in the last three years, workers feel employment conditions overall have not improved further this year.
The percentage of workers receiving extra pay for unsocial hours has fallen this year compared to last, as has the percentage of people who see opportunities for career progression and who see themselves as having a long career in tourism and hospitality.
“Engaged, committed and motivated staff are essential to the success of any business but especially so in tourism and hospitality,” said Christopher Paye, Revenue Director for The Stepstone Group, which carried out the research for Fáilte Ireland.
“Tourism relies on human connection to deliver exceptional service, with every guest interaction, from the first to the last, shaped by the business’s staff,” he said.
“It is why strategies to attract, recruit and retain key talent should remain a top priority for employers in the sector,” he added.