The hospitality industry is still grappling with labor issues post-pandemic. Despite improvements, rising wages and staff retention remain tough.

• Labor Market Evolution
  • Robert Habeeb, CEO of Maverick Hotels & Restaurants: The labor shortage is now moderate, but wage inflation is taking a big hit. Competition for workers is fierce.
• Lost Talent Impact
  • Dorothy Dowling, Managing Director, Horwath HTL: Many skilled professionals left during COVID. Need to rebuild the industry’s career appeal.
• Retention & Career Pathways
  • Liz Uber, COO, Extended Stay America: Finding staff is easier, but keeping them is hard. Emphasize career growth without needing advanced degrees.
• Flexibility & Benefits
  • Flexibility and benefits are key. Flexible hours, weekly pay, and family leave attract staff. A shift towards work-life balance is essential.
• Embracing Demographics
  • Focus on older workers who offer experience and knowledge. Break biases and embrace this growing labor segment.
• Future-Ready Workforce
  • Reimagine workforce strategies. Significant mindset changes are needed to adapt to modern worker expectations.
• Recruitment & Culture
  • Geoff Ballotti, CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Active recruitment of younger workers is crucial.
  • John Murray, Sonesta International Hotels CEO: Apprenticeship programs can attract new talent.
  • Rajiv Trivedi, Board Member, Red Roof: Positive work culture and open communication retain staff.
• Purpose-Driven Hospitality
  • Greg Juceam, CEO, Extended Stay America: Focus on caring for associates and guests to improve retention.
• The Bottom Line
  • The hospitality industry must adapt to changing labor dynamics with flexibility, strong culture, and proactive recruitment to thrive post-pandemic.

Read the entire article from Lodging Magazine