Scheme for card payment of tips ready - Topuzi: The "Tips" system is applied in Europe, the average reward is around 10%
The accommodation and hotel sector in the country is increasingly moving towards formalization, where not only foreign tourists, but also a significant portion of Albanian citizens are preferring payments by credit or debit card.
This transition to the digital economy has highlighted a problem for service staff, the inability to receive bonuses or tips in the absence of cash.
"The problem lies in card payments, which almost all foreigners do today, but also Albanians... receive their salaries or pensions via credit cards. Given that tourism workers, at the moment when payments are made by card, do not have the opportunity to have contact with physical money, one of the important elements is the 'tips' payment, i.e. the reward. Which is not mandatory, but is an average of about 10% that is left in different countries of the world and Europe," says Zak Topuzi, Head of the Association of Tour Operators.
The region is being taken as a model, where, according to Topuz, Croatia has advanced this scheme by allowing employees to receive up to 3,600 euros per year net from electronic tips, completely tax-free.
"We have talked with all the authorities, the relevant ministries, the Association of Banks, which is almost ready, since the system of those foreign banks has this program and does not require any major legal changes... It is a process that helps formalize the market, helps employees to have the opportunity to be rewarded and I say that it is in the final phase of discussions."
The new technological changes are expected to be implemented without the need for major legal upheavals, using existing banking systems. Through this initiative, tourism operators aim not only to increase transparency, but above all to retain and attract qualified staff, which remains the main challenge of the labor market in the country.
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