Pandemic Leads to Shortfall of Hospitality Workers

As the hospitality industry begins to reopen to full capacity after more than a year of scaled back operations, hotel management is struggling to rehire workers. The labor shortage has reached a boiling point as tourists return to hotels and resorts, Travel Weekly and The Associated Press (AP) report.

 Last year, the U.S. leisure and hospitality industry suffered one of the nation’s highest unemployment levels, hitting 39.3% in April 2020, according to a Congressional Research Center report. This year, popular summer destinations across the world are anticipating a busy season so hotels, restaurants, and retail shops in these areas need workers.

Facility managers and businesses told AP that the influx of seasonal foreign workers has stalled due to the pandemic and restrictions of tourism. The businesses also are struggling to attract U.S. workers as many Americans collect unemployment benefits instead of seeking work due to COVID-19 related worries and child care issues.

“It’s the ‘Hunger Games’ for these employers, fighting for getting these guest workers into the country while also trying everything they can to recruit domestically,” said Brian Crawford, an executive vice president for the American Hotel and Lodging Association. “It’s really frustrating. They’re trying to regain their footing after this disastrous pandemic, but they just can’t catch a break.”

Carol Dover, CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, told Travel Weekly, that during spring break “everyone was flocking to Florida” and that is when members started to realize there was not enough staff to accommodate guests. “Hotels are actually having to leave rooms dark,” Dover said. “We have general managers who are cleaning rooms and property operators who are in the back of the house cooking.”

Lynn Mohrfeld, CEO of the California Hotel & Lodging Association, said that the economy is opening back up and “everyone’s got ‘help wanted’ signs in their window.” Mohrfeld added that she did a recent ZipRecruiter search and found 19,000 job openings within the California hotel sector. A recent California law requires hospitality employers to rehire laid off workers. Mohrfeld said the ordinance is well-intentioned but makes it difficult for businesses to quickly restaff their facilities.