Belgium is also suffering due to a change in the tourism industry. The business tourism is decreasing, causing the traditional restaurants, which are more expensive, to suffer. Many tourists are turning to the fast food restaurants because these are cheaper. In the UK the trend is to diversity away from the reliance upon the traditional family beach holiday to include short out of season breaks, activity and theme holidays, and green tourism. The labour market plays a significant role in the tourism industry.
Qualified employees are in great demand and always able to find employment .
But the problems of finding qualified staff in the hotel and restaurant branches are increasing. It is now becoming necessary to search for staff in other countries. Due to the seasonal working conditions and the high mobility required, the UK especially, is complaining of serious recruitment and staff retention problems. Another problem derived from this situation is the high rate of staff turnover. The UK employers' reasons are the low status associated with the tourism sector and the lack of interest in the industry.