THE OPPORTUNITIES OF TOURISM IN SOLVING UNEMPLOYMENT

Turizam nije u svim zemljama EU od iste važnosti ali gotovo u svim zemljama može pospješiti zaposlenost osjetljivih grupa kao što su žene, mladi, dugoročno nezaposleni, etničke manjine i sl. Part-time i privremeni poslovi, kao česti oblici u turizmu mogu imati posebno značenje u stimuliranju zaposlenosti žena i mladih. Poticanjem turizma u određenim regijama može se povoljno utjecati na zaposlenost u tim područjima. U zemljama koje nemaju izražene probleme s nezaposlenosti, turizam predstavlja dodatni izvoz. Portugal i Austrija, kao izrazite turističke destinacije, te Irska prepoznale su potencijal zaposlenosti koji nudi turizam te su ga koristili za smanjenje stope nezaposlenosti. Nažalost, u većini mediteranskih zemalja, gdje je turizam često jedna od najvažnijih grana, to nije učinjeno i one još uvijek bilježe visoke stope nezaposlenosti. Turizam je u Hrvatskoj sektor koji može dati značajan doprinos bržem gospodarskom razvoju. U našoj zemlji postoje veliki potencijali za povećanje turističkih aktivnosti što će samim time generirati i veći broj radnih mjesta u turizmu kao i u povezanim gospodarskim granama. Za uspješno rješavanje problema nezaposlenosti u Hrvatskoj putem turizma, kao primjer mogu poslužiti pozitivna iskustva zemalja EU.Although tourism does not have the same priority throughout the EU countries, it can help to improve the employment rate of critical groups such as women, young people, the long-term unemployed, ethnic minorities, etc. in almost all of the countries. Part-time and temporary jobs, which are frequent forms of employment in tourism, can have special significance in stimulating the employment of women and young people. Encouraging tourism in certain regions can have favourable impact on the employment rate in these areas. In countries where unemployment is not a large problem, tourism represents additional export. Portugal and Austria, two pronounced tourist destinations, together with Ireland, have recognized the employment potential that tourism has to offer, and they are using tourism to decrease their unemployment rates. Unfortunately, the majority of Mediterranean countries, where tourism is often one of the most important economic branches, has not grasped this opportunity, and still suffers high unemployment rates. In Croatia, tourism is a sector that can significantly contribute to accelerating economic development. Croatia possesses a great potential for increasing its tourism activities, which would in turn generate a large number of jobs in tourism, as well as in the adjoining economic branches. The positive experience of the EU countries in this respect can serve as an example to Croatia in successfully overcoming the issue of unemployment through tourism