Jean-Pierre Ghiribelli: 'Employment remains a key issue for the hospitality sector'

This event, designed and led by the Union des Métiers et des Industries de l’Hôtellerie du Var (UMIH 83), aims to meet professionals in the sector, encourage exchanges and provide concrete solutions to the challenges of the profession. It is also a friendly gathering that helps rebuild links between all stakeholders in the sector. The kickoff of the UMIH Tour 83 was given in Saint-Tropez on April 7, in the presence of Sylvie Siri, mayor of Saint-Tropez, Romain Scifo, principal inspector of the Direction Départementale des Finances Publiques (DDFIP), Domitille Lemaire, president of the Chambre du Conseil du Tribunal de Commerce de Fréjus and the gendarmerie of the golfe de Saint-Tropez. The theme of this edition is 'Best Practices and Prevention'. A choice motivated by several major issues for the sector, such as securing establishments and customers. Risk prevention—whether sanitary, legal or safety-related—has become a priority for hospitality professionals. By adopting and sharing best practices, establishments can better protect their customers and staff, while ensuring an optimal working environment.

For the UMIH, is it also about meeting new regulatory requirements?

Indeed, standards regularly evolve, whether in the employment and training sector, food hygiene, or safety for ERP (Établissements Recevant du Public). It is essential for professionals to understand and adapt their HR management strategies. By focusing on prevention, the UMIH du Var wants to provide sector players with the tools needed to anticipate problems, limit costs related to disputes and sanctions, and thus ensure the sustainability of their activities. These meetings are therefore a key moment for exchange and training, where experts and institutional representatives meet.

What is the assessment of the first edition?

Launched at the end of 2022, the first edition of the UMIH TOUR 83 brought together many professionals from the department. We toured the department in six stages (Ramatuelle, Fréjus, Toulon, Draguignan, Brignoles, and Saint-Tropez) to address topics such as hygiene, human resources, the ecological transition, anticipating difficulties, regulations, sustainable development, and the digitalization of establishments. Indeed, our profession is facing recruitment difficulties. It is hard to find qualified staff, and housing for seasonal workers is a major concern for our members. How can we find employees when they cannot find accommodation? Granted, we benefit from aid from the Région Sud or Action Logement. These are sometimes complicated to obtain. Our role is to explain to professionals how they can benefit from this assistance, which also comes from the État or Département. This situation is well documented by the authorities, and the préfet du Var responds to our requests.

What objectives are you aiming for with this second edition?

For the UMIH, the goal is to be as close as possible to the operators of cafés, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, caterers, and beach attendants to address all the issues they face on a daily basis, defend them before public authorities, and also exchange with experts present at these meetings, which are held in a friendly atmosphere. During the first edition, more than 150 participants praised the relevance of the presentations and the warmth of the meetings.

THE UMIH IS THE LEADING EMPLOYERS' UNION IN THE SECTOR

The UMIH represents the leading professional organization for cafés, hotels, restaurants, night establishments, and independent businesses in France. Resulting from the merger of several employers' organizations, the UMIH represents, defends, and promotes independent professionals in hospitality, catering, the nightlife sector, seasonal professions, caterers, beach attendants, and bars (with or without a license),