Why hotels are increasingly hiring international employees
Anyone who works in a Dutch hotel often notices it immediately: English is frequently spoken on the work floor and teams increasingly consist of colleagues from different nationalities. This is no coincidence. Hotels are increasingly recruiting employees from abroad to deal with staff shortages, serve international guests better and keep their teams flexible.
The sector has become highly international. In the hospitality industry, around 39% of employees have a migration background, which shows how important international workers have become for daily operations.
The trend at a glance
Hotels are increasingly looking internationally when recruiting new staff. The reason is simple: it remains difficult to fill vacancies while hotels continue to stay busy with guests.
For many hotels in international cities such as Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam, an international team works well. Guests come from all over the world and English is often the working language. Employees from different countries also bring new languages, experiences and perspectives.
In short, several factors usually play a role at the same time:
The labour market is tight and vacancies are difficult to fill.
Tourism continues to grow, which means hotels need sufficient staff.
International teams match well with an international guest base and an English speaking work environment.
Staff shortages play a major role
The main reason hotels recruit internationally is that it remains difficult to find enough staff. In hospitality, staff turnover is relatively high and there are regular peak periods when extra people are needed.
In addition, hotels are often open seven days a week and operate at different times throughout the day. This requires employees who are flexible and able to work different shifts.
When it becomes difficult to fill vacancies locally, hotels logically look beyond the Dutch labour market.
Fewer young people entering the labour market
Another development is happening in the background: relatively fewer young people are entering the labour market than in the past. At the same time, sectors such as hospitality still need employees.
Fewer students in hospitality and hotel education programmes are choosing a career in the sector compared with a number of years ago. As a result, it is becoming harder for hotels to find new talent locally.
International employees therefore often fill an important gap in hotel teams.
International guests require international teams
Hotels welcome guests from many different countries. Employees who speak multiple languages or understand different cultures can therefore be a major advantage.
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), tourism in the Netherlands reached a record level in 2024, with more than 51 million guests and around 145 million overnight stays in tourist accommodations.
An international team can more easily interact with guests from different countries. It also often creates a dynamic working environment in which colleagues learn from one another.
For many hotels, an international team therefore matches well with the type of guests they receive.
Hotel work requires flexibility
Working in a hotel often means working in a dynamic environment. Peak moments, weekend shifts and changing schedules are usually part of the job.
Hotels therefore look for employees who are flexible and able to work well in a team. International employees are often willing to relocate for work and see the hotel industry as an opportunity to gain experience in an international environment.
This makes the sector attractive for people who want to work abroad.
Working internationally within Europe is relatively easy
According to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), employees with the nationality of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland are free to work in the Netherlands. They do not need a work permit, which makes it easier for hotels to hire staff quickly.
For employees from outside Europe, more regulations apply, but this also occurs regularly in the sector, especially when hotels have experience with international recruitment.
The Netherlands is attractive for international hotel employees
The Netherlands is known for its international working environment and relatively good working conditions. Combined with the strong demand for staff, this makes the country attractive for people who want to work in the hospitality sector.
For many international employees, a hotel job is also a way to gain international work experience and learn new languages and cultures.
What this means for you
For job seekers, this development mainly means that there are many opportunities in the hotel industry. Hotels are increasingly open to people from different backgrounds and are more willing to invest in training and support.
If you want to work in an international hotel environment, it helps to be clear about:
the languages you speak
your flexibility with working hours
your motivation to learn and collaborate
In international teams, open communication and cooperation are often just as important as experience.