The dichotomy between perceived and actual working conditions in the hospitality industry in the 2020’s : the millennial perspective

Abstract

Tourism employees have become a strategic asset given Malta’s competitive nature in the hospitality sector. To meet this ever-growing demand for workers has become increasingly difficult and many business owners have been trying to find solutions to solve this situation (Kar, 2018). On the other hand, young potential employees, the Maltese Millennials, have a different view of life, and prefer a work-leisure balance from the start and have a different perspective on making sacrifices, while demanding different working conditions and remunerations. Employers regard this an apparent lack of the necessary motivation to find a job in tourism, seemingly convinced that what the tourism sector currently has to offer would bring them a meaningful employment situation if they were prepared to make the same sacrifices as the older generations. In the meantime, this void is being filled by employees from within or outside the EU.