Living in the Harz Region: Is Anyone Hanging On?
The picturesque Harz region, known for its charming timber-framed houses and narrow alleys, attracts thousands of tourists and hikers each year. However, the region faces a labor shortage in the hospitality industry, with many businesses increasingly relying on foreign employees.
Contrastingly, the North Sea coast presents a different scenario. Particularly in the East Frisian vacation region, foreign workers are indispensable, especially during peak tourist seasons.
According to the Ministry of Economics in Hannover, the share of foreign workers in the gastronomy and hotel industry is higher than in other sectors. The recruitment of foreign workers varies depending on their nationality. EU citizens can freely move and work within the European Union, while non-EU citizens have access requirements.
In the East Frisian islands, about half of the employees in the hospitality industry came from abroad in 2024. Many Romanian seasonal workers are employed on Borkum and Norderney, while a larger Polish group of workers can be found on Juist. Workers also hail from Ukraine, Vietnam, Italy, Croatia, and more recently, Morocco.
The proportion of foreign employees in the East Frisian hospitality industry rose from around 23% in 2014 to over 36% in 2024. This trend is also visible in the Harz region, where hotels and restaurants are increasingly relying on foreign employees to meet the demands of the tourist season.
The state government provides support for businesses in recruiting workers from Morocco, as demonstrated by the recent partnership signed with the Moroccan region of Tangier for labor migration. This partnership is not just for tourism but aims to foster a broader labour exchange. The first Moroccan trainees in the hospitality industry have already started their roles.
A survey by the German Press Agency among tourism organizations shows an increase in foreign employees in the gastronomy and hotel industry. This trend is not unique to the coast; it is also observed in inland cities like Hannover.
However, the situation in the Harz region differs from that of the North Sea coast. Despite the influx of tourists, few are interested in settling there for work. This, coupled with the labor shortages, means that foreign workers are crucial to the success of tourism in the region.
In the Lüneburg Heath, the recruitment of foreign workers has only worked in isolated cases and is rarely sustainable. This highlights the unique challenges faced by different regions in attracting and retaining foreign workers.
In conclusion, foreign workers significantly contribute to the success of tourism in Lower Saxony, particularly along the North Sea coast. The demand for seasonal workers varies depending on the strength of the tourist season and the type of business, making it a dynamic and evolving landscape.
Read also:
- International cooperatives associated with OCOP (One Commune One Product) are actively exploring strategies to access and penetrate foreign markets.
- Federal health clinics in Maine seek restoration of withheld Medicaid financing, filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over funding reductions.
- Tezos' Etherlink Broadens Its Gaming Offerings with Incorporation of Pikes Arena and Cricket Champions
- Depakote Cost in 2025: Discounts and Additional Savings Options
