The International Labour Organization (ILO) has outlined a strategic roadmap to support the sustainable development of Kosovo’s Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HoReCa) sector, one of the country’s most dynamic and promising industries. Conducted under the “Support to the labour market integration of young people in the Hospitality and Tourism sector” project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the initiative aims to generate more, better, and sustainable employment opportunities across the sector.
To inform the roadmap, the ILO commissioned a Market Systems Analysis (MSA) that examined the sector’s structure, challenges, and opportunities. The analysis highlighted critical issues, including fragmented business support services, limited coordination between employers and training providers, weak enforcement of safety and hygiene standards, and constrained product and service differentiation. These factors, combined with inadequate career guidance and limited support for entrepreneurship, restrict access for young people, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities, while contributing to high staff turnover and skills gaps.
The roadmap proposes targeted interventions to foster inclusive growth. Expanding career guidance services will help young people navigate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the sector. Strengthening partnerships between training institutions and HoReCa businesses, including work-based learning and internships, will better align skills development with industry needs. Initiatives to promote collective marketing and branding aim to position Kosovo as a competitive tourism destination, encouraging longer stays and higher spending. Finally, improving workplace practices—through inclusive hiring, business support, and adherence to health and safety standards—will enhance job quality and sector resilience.
Complementing these efforts, a Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) analysis is underway, focusing on the sector’s specific skills requirements. Together, these evidence-based approaches provide a roadmap for creating more sustainable, inclusive, and competitive employment in Kosovo’s HoReCa sector.
