Staff shortage in the tourism and hospitality industry has become a serious problem, and the question is whether importing foreign workers can be a solution to this situation. In this paper, I will discuss the reasons for the staff shortage in the mentioned sector, the advantages and disadvantages of importing labor, analyze the impact on the local workforce, and explore potential solutions. Tourism and hospitality are key industries in many countries, including Croatia, which relies on tourism as an important source of revenue. The practice of importing labor that has spread among countries faces numerous challenges. Language barriers and cultural differences can pose challenges for communication and cooperation in the workplace. Moreover, if the worker is not satisfied, consequently the tourist cannot be satisfied with the service provided by the worker. Will importing foreign workers lead to the exploitation of workers and a decline in working conditions? Instead of relying on imported labor, there should be investments in education and qualification of workers from our own country to meet the needs of tourism and hospitality. This could reduce the long-term dependence on foreign workers. Finding a balance between meeting the sector's current needs and investing in the workers from our own country is essential for a long-term solution to the labor shortage problem.