THE most serious problem facing the fast-growing tourism industry is staff recruitment, according to a major employment survey by CERT, the State Tourism Training Authority.
The difficulty in getting staff, as well as low training levels in some of the sectors, was the only downside in a survey which reported a 20 per cent employment increase in the past four years to 188,068.
The number of people employed in hotels and guest houses was up by 25 per cent, restaurants up by 31 per cent, fast food outlets by 102 per cent and travel services and attractions up by 24 per cent.
The survey findings, officially presented yesterday by the Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny, said there was more good news for the industry, which expects a further 4 per cent increase in tourism this year.
Mr Kenny said the survey estimated that more than 60 per cent of increased employment has been caused by new business openings and the remainder by improved trading conditions.
A total of 1,619 new businesses has been established in the industry since 1992 and the total number now stands at 14,705.
The hotel, catering and licensed trade sectors account for the majority of new businesses and these remain the core employers in the industry.
A sectoral breakdown of the industry showed that licensed premises employed most people, a total of 76,239, an increase since 1992 of 4 per cent.
The hotel and guesthouse sector is the next largest employer, with 41,878 people, representing a 25 per cent growth since 1992.
The report said the growth in new businesses was very significant. Since 1992 there has been a 12 per cent increase from 13,086 to 14,705 in 1996.
Since the last survey in 1992, 356 new restaurants have opened, 434 fast food outlets and 175 new hotels and guesthouses. There also have been 434 new pubs.
The Minister noted that 39 per cent of establishments reported recruitment difficulties with the highest difficulties (69 per cent) being reported by hotels.
The Minister said that the enormity of the recruitment challenge for tourism was being addressed by the industry and CERT would manage a high-profile campaign to promote tourism as a first choice career.
