The motivation of employees and their intention to work in the Greek tourism sector

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate the motives that drive individuals' intentions to work within firms operating in the Greek tourism sector and to examine the impact of these motives on the intention to work. Design/methodology/approach - To achieve this objective, we conducted an empirical survey among 2,104 individuals with professional experience in the tourism business. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analysis were employed, with motives as independent variables and the intention to work as the dependent construct, to answer the research question. Findings - This study presents job motivation as a hierarchical set of criteria that need to be fulfilled or satisfied. It also identifies the significant motives impacting employees' intention to work in both the accommodation sector and food and beverage services. Research limitations/implications - The data were collected at a single point in time from Greece, which may limit the generalizability of our results. Future research could consider the psychological and physiological characteristics of employees. Practical implications - Managers who provide social security, create a positive work environment, and promote collaboration among their employees can enhance the quality of work-life and positively influence their intention to work. Originality/value - The proposed model offers valuable guidelines that advance research on employee motivation in the tourism industry.