The COVID pandemic cruelly exposed the weaknesses of the just-in-time supply chain strategies in manufacturing industries. Some carmakers in Europe ground to a halt as the supply of essential electronic components suddenly stopped flowing from Asia. It now seems that the tourism industry’s just-in-time strategies for its labour supply are facing similar challenges. Demand for holidays in Mediterranean destinations is booming after more than two years of a meltdown in the travel market. However, many operators are finding it difficult to recruit essential staff, especially when tourists now insist on labour-intensive service improvements in regard to hygiene and cleanliness. Despite pious commitments of policymakers and operators to promote quality in the industry, Malta’s tourism business model is still dominated by the lower end of the market. An abundance of low-cost flights, reliance on cheap labour and inadequate standards characterise the dynamics that drive a good part of the local industry. All of these factors are now beginning to be affected by changing economic realities as inflation and labour shortages affect all European countries. The just-in-time labour supply...