Is there anyone remaining in the Harz Region?

In the picturesque Harz region, many hotels and restaurants are relying on foreign employees to cater to the thousands of vacationers and hikers who visit each year. The unique charm of the region, with its beautiful towns, timber-framed houses, and narrow alleys, has made it a popular tourist destination.

However, recruiting and retaining foreign workers in the long term can be challenging due to the attractions of big cities. Despite this, businesses in the Harz are not just seeking seasonal workers as service staff, but also skilled workers like chefs. The state government has even shown support in recruiting workers from Morocco for the hospitality industry.

The hospitality industry in the Harz is affected by a labor shortage, a trend that is also visible along the North Sea coast. On the East Frisian islands, about half of the employees in the hospitality industry came from abroad in 2024, a significant increase from the 23% in 2014. The proportion of foreign employees rose to over 36% by 2024.

The demand for seasonal workers varies depending on the strength of the tourist season in different areas. Workers come from various countries, including Ukraine, Vietnam, Italy, Croatia, and Poland. The origin of foreign workers varies from island to island along the East Frisian coast, with many Romanian seasonal workers on Borkum and Norderney, while a larger Polish group works on Juist.

The most common foreign workers employed in the tourism sectors at the North Sea, especially on the East Frisian Islands, are not explicitly detailed in the available sources. However, the presence of a significant number of Danish and Dutch visitors in recent times suggests that these nationalities are significant in the regional tourism contexts.

In contrast, an initiative to employ several Ukrainian women in the Lüneburg Heath failed due to childcare issues. This highlights the complexities involved in recruiting and retaining foreign workers, even in areas with a high demand for labour.

The ease of recruiting and integrating foreign workers depends on the presence of a community from their country of origin in the area. A survey by the German Press Agency among tourism organizations shows an increase in foreign employees in the hospitality industry, a trend that is likely to continue as the demand for workers in the sector continues to grow.