Hotels are continuing to experience staffing shortages—though the numbers have improved from earlier this year.
Key Details
- Around 87% of hotels surveyed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) report ongoing staffing shortages at their locations.
- Of those hotels, 36% say that their staffing shortage is “severe.” The greatest shortage is among housekeepers.
- These more recent statistics are improved from May when AHLA reported that 97% of hotels were struggling to staff their locations.
- Hotels are offering incentives to encourage applicants including flexible hours, increased wages, and expanded benefits.
Why it’s news
Without adequate housekeeping staff, hotels are not able to offer as many rooms to potential customers as they once were. Staffing shortages are just one of the reasons hotel rates are on the rise.
AHLA found that many of their respondents are trying to fill at least 10 vacant positions per location.
Comparing employment from August 2022 to February 2020, hotel employment is down approximately 400,000 jobs according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While hotels are struggling to find employees, current employees are enjoying a pay boost thanks to greater negotiation power. Average wages for hotel employees are over $22 an hour.
Additionally, flexibility and benefits have grown more favorable for hotel employees, AHLA found.
AHLA president Chip Rogers presents this phenomenon as an opportunity for those looking to work in the hospitality industry.
“Today’s tight labor market is creating unprecedented career opportunities for current and prospective hotel employees,” he says. “AHLA and the AHLA Foundation are working tirelessly to spread the word. With hotel wages, benefits, flexibility and upward mobility at historic levels, there has never been a better time to work at a hotel than the present.”
Though hotel employees are undoubtedly enjoying higher wages and increased benefits, the costs will likely be passed along to hotel guests.