As a hotel operations manager in Santiago, I've witnessed firsthand the rapid growth of our tourism sector. While this expansion brings economic benefits, it's also exposing a significant challenge: a shortage of qualified personnel.

With over 51,000 hotel rooms and 4,000 more under construction, the demand for skilled workers is outpacing supply. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a bottleneck that could hinder future investments and the quality of service we offer to visitors.

The root of the problem lies in our education and training systems, which haven't kept pace with industry growth. We need to invest in vocational training and partnerships between educational institutions and the hospitality sector. Without this, we risk stalling our tourism momentum and losing our competitive edge.

It's time for stakeholders to collaborate and address this pressing issue. Our tourism success story depends on it.