The 2024 tourist season has begun on Lake Garda, but many businesses are struggling to find seasonal staff. In Salò, for example, there are over 30 job openings. This phenomenon is not new and in recent years, especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become a growing concern.
According to Andrea Maggioni, president of “Salò Promotion,” an association of Salò merchants, the pandemic and social changes have not only affected the retail sector but also the availability of skills and expertise gained over time through seasonal workers. Maggioni emphasizes the need to promote a different narrative of seasonal work, highlighting that working in a bar, restaurant, or hotel during the tourist season means gaining human and professional experience, meeting people from all over the world, and improving language skills.
However, the problem is not only the lack of qualified personnel. Maggioni points out that Italy has only 18 Hotel Institutes, while Spain has over 40. To make the tourism and hotel sector more attractive, it is necessary to enhance Italian Hotel Institutes by updating their study programs and bringing them closer to the world of work.
To make the sector even more appealing to potential seasonal workers, the National Commerce Contract has recently been updated, expanding protections for employees and providing favorable taxation for tips. These changes address the needs of the sector and aim to stimulate employment in highly attractive tourist areas like Salò.
The association of Salò merchants has launched a personnel selection campaign since February, collecting applications through the trade association. The goal is to place the right person in the right position, offering tourists and customers who choose Salò an unforgettable experience in a professional and welcoming environment.
