The extended summer season in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in Neum, has been successful, yet a significant challenge looms: the shortage of labor in the hospitality sector. Representatives from the industry are urging the government to simplify procedures for hiring foreign workers to address the increasing shortfall.

Davor Kresic, a representative of the Neum Hotel Association, stated that while this season has been successful overall, it hasn’t been without its difficulties. “We had unexpected gaps in July, but August was traditionally strong, and projections for September and October are excellent. The season will certainly be more successful than last year,” said Kresic, adding that any increase in growth, no matter how small, is a positive outcome.

Andjelko Maslac, Director of the Tourist Board of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNK), also commented on the positive results, particularly in cities like Mostar, Pocitelj, Konjic, Stolac, and Blagaj, highlighting the widespread success across the region.

However, one of the most pressing issues facing the hospitality sector is the growing difficulty in finding qualified workers, particularly seasonal staff. Kresic emphasized that while Neum has so far managed with domestic workers, the situation is becoming more challenging. He appealed to the government to expedite the process of hiring foreign workers, stating: “We are having trouble finding workers locally. We need the government to simplify the process of bringing foreign labor into the country. Currently, it can take six to seven months to bring in a foreign worker, and we often don’t even know if they will arrive.”

Maslac echoed this concern, noting that despite improvements in tax collection and infrastructure, the lack of workers remains a major hurdle. He mentioned that Neum is faring better than other areas but warned that in a year or two, it might face the same worker shortages as neighboring regions. “We need action from the government to ease the labor crisis,” Kresic added.

Both Kresic and Maslac underscored the importance of continued collaboration with the government and local authorities to maintain tourism growth and address the workforce issues, which are critical for sustaining the region's economic development.