site.bta20,000-Plus Third-Country Nationals Expected to Work in Bulgaria’s Tourism Sector during Peak Summer Season - Hotel Association President

More than 20,000 individuals from third countries are expected to be employed in Bulgaria’s tourism sector during the peak summer season, Veselin Danev, President of the Bulgarian Hotel Association and manager of the hotels of Libena Resorts - Melia Hotels International’s main partner in Bulgaria, said in an interview with the Bulgarian News Agency.

What are the main difficulties in recruitment this summer season, and what are your suggestions for overcoming them?

The biggest challenge remains the lack of predictability in the issuance of work visas for our foreign employees. An inter-institutional working group, led by Deputy Prime Minister [Grozdan] Karadjov, has been set up, and the measures adopted are expected to yield results in the medium term. Attention should also be paid to operational issues within consular services such as insufficient staffing and schedule disruptions caused by unscrupulous intermediaries, etc.

What is the estimated staff shortage this season, and which positions are most in demand?

It is difficult to provide an exact figure. Public claims of around 200,000 vacant positions seem greatly exaggerated. Last year, some 14,000 third-country nationals were employed; this year, that number will exceed 20,000. The greatest need is for motivated people at the start of their careers. But we also rely on many long-term foreign employees.

Which positions are most and least preferred and why?

We work with nearly 20 tourism colleges and universities from neighboring countries. There is considerable interest across most departments. It takes years to develop a professional as they must be familiar with every function within a mechanism that aims to deliver experiences to our guests.

Do stand-alone hotels or hotel chains face more difficulty finding staff and why?

The experience of my colleagues in the Bulgarian Hotel Association shows that young people seeking professional development tend to gravitate toward larger professional organizations. However, many young Bulgarians' debts from quick loans hinder their employment with companies that pay full, officially declared salaries.

Are there workers from EU Member States in Bulgarian hotels, beyond management roles? What kind of roles do they prefer? What is their average age and what experience do they usually have? Why do they choose to work in a Bulgarian hotel? Could you provide a ballpark estimate of their numbers for this summer season?

We have dozens of colleagues from other EU Member States and they are typically in senior, managerial roles. Unfortunately, Bulgaria’s taxation at lower income levels is among the highest in the EU, which does not make us an attractive destination for seasonal workers. The total tax burden, including social security contributions, exceeds 43%. By comparison, seasonal workers in Germany are often exempt from social security payments and they often earn below the tax-free income threshold. We are in this strange situation where we export skilled workers to the EU, while importing staff from Egypt.

Could you provide a profile of a typical job applicant from an EU Member State working in a Bulgarian hotel? How do they differ from Bulgarian workers?

They are most often experienced hospitality professionals looking to advance their careers. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer young people are considering a career in hospitality in Bulgaria due to the reasons I mentioned above.

Which countries do most third-country workers come from and what drives their interest in working in Bulgaria? What positions do they typically apply for beyond managerial roles? Do they have prior experience in this field and what is their average age? Can you estimate their total number for this summer season?

In the hotel chain I manage, we currently employ nearly 1,000 colleagues from more than nine third countries. Hotels are also educational institutions. Most of these colleagues begin in entry-level positions, though many have stayed with us for years. I have spent nearly 20 years working in different countries, and I emphasize to all managers that people should be judged by their qualities and merit, not their origin.

Could you give a profile of a third-country candidate for a position in a Bulgarian hotel? How do they differ from Bulgarian workers?

They are usually more motivated to build a career in hospitality. But every person is unique, and we assess them on their merits.

What is the average salary for these roles and what additional benefits are offered by employers? Could you share, if you have data, how wages compare to similar positions in other EU Member States?

From what I have seen, salaries for middle and senior management positions are competitive with those in other Mediterranean countries. Net income for entry-level roles remains lower due to the high taxation in Bulgaria.