Continental: We are 27% short of personnel

Businessman Radu Enache (photo), who controls the Continental hotel chain, says the fluctuation of personnel has increased four times since 2005 and reached 27%, with the biggest shortage being recorded in positions lower than middle management. “Personnel fluctuation has increased significantly and reached 27% against 7% three years ago. It is increasingly hard to find staff, especially from middle management downwards,” said Enache. Wages in the hospitality industry are among the lowest in the economy. The average net salary of hotel and restaurant employees reached 200 euros in May this year, just 1.5% more against the same month last year, according to the National Statistics Institute. The only sectors with lower salaries than tourism are the clothing industry and the wood processing industry. Continental will double the number of employees by 2010-2011, from the current 1,000, in the wake of the 135-138 million-euro investment plan, which will bring the number of hotels in the chain to over 35. The Continental chain currently has 14 hotels throughout the country and in Bucharest, which operate under the Ibis and Continental Forum brands, whilst the first two-star hotel Hello will become operational in September.