Seasonality in Tourism Employment ? Case City Split

As a fundamental characteristic of tourism, seasonality is recognized as a factor affecting all aspects of contemporary tourism industry. Seasonal fluctuations of tourist demand cause unfavourable business conditions. Seasonal business leads to under or over utilisation of resources and instability in income and return on investment, whereby high-season income must cover annual fixed costs. This study examines problems and key features of seasonal employment in tourism. Tourism industry is an unattractive industry for employer but also employee. Sporadic demand for labour inhibits the recruitment process, shortages of seasonal workers led to seeking workers beyond local area and high recruitment costs reduce remuneration packages. Sporadic demand for labour affects the retention and development of employees results in loss of skill and experience, lack of training and career opportunities, service quality inconsistency and reduced customer satisfaction, lack of commitment by workers and unhealthy fluctuations. The objective of this paper is to understand the seasonality effect on labour, hiring and stuffing. Furthermore, to analyse the seasonal employment structure of City Split regarding total number of seasonal employed, education level and tourism sector. Finally the paper provides a review of government support for seasonal work in tourism and potential techniques and procedures to handle seasonal challenges in human resource management.