Labor shortages impact hospitality sectors in Dominican Republic and Spain

The hospitality and tourism sectors in the Dominican Republic and Spain are facing significant challenges due to a shortage of qualified personnel.

In the Dominican Republic, Maira Morla, director of the National Institute of Technical Professional Training (Infotep), reported that hotels are increasingly demanding experts in culinary arts, hotel management, and tourism. Beyond food preparation, there is a growing need for technicians in areas such as industrial electricity, plumbing, and pool maintenance. To address this, Infotep has established training centers, including one in Punta Cana developed with the Meliá group, which has already trained over 600 employees and 200 community members in various technical trades.

Similarly, Spain is experiencing a chronic lack of skilled workers in its hospitality industry. According to a report by The Fork, 22% of hospitality business owners cite the difficulty of finding employees as a primary cause for permanent closures. The issue persists year-round and is particularly acute during peak seasons. Data from the National Statistics Institute indicated over 138,000 vacancies in the service sector during the first quarter of 2026, forcing some businesses to reduce service areas, change operating hours, or close entirely despite being profitable.