Hospitality Staffing Woes Persist Amid Recovery
As the hospitality industry steadily bounces back from the pandemic, workforce challenges remain a pressing concern. According to a new survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) in partnership with Hireology, 65 percent of U.S. hotels continue to experience staffing shortages, even as conditions improve compared to earlier in 2024.
In the wake of the pandemic, American hotels have implemented a range of strategies to attract new talent and retain existing staff. Many establishments have increased wages, introduced flexible work schedules, expanded benefits, and offered employee discounts on hotel stays. Despite these efforts, overall employment levels in the sector have not yet reached their pre-pandemic peak. AHLA President & CEO Rosanna Maietta highlighted this persistent gap, noting, “While American hotels have largely recovered from the pandemic, hotel employment is still nearly 10 percent below pre-pandemic staffing levels.”
The survey, which tracked staffing conditions from May to December 2024, reveals encouraging trends alongside ongoing challenges. In May, 76 percent of hotels reported experiencing a staffing deficit. By year’s end, that figure had dropped to 65 percent, and the percentage of hotels describing themselves as “severely understaffed” decreased from 13 percent to 9 percent. These improvements indicate that initiatives aimed at attracting workers are beginning to yield results.
However, the challenge of filling open positions remains acute. More than 70 percent of surveyed hotels reported difficulty in finding qualified applicants. On average, hotels are contending with six to seven vacancies per property. The struggle is most pronounced in the housekeeping department, which 38 percent of respondents identified as the hardest to staff. Front desk positions follow at 26 percent, with culinary roles and maintenance jobs also experiencing notable shortages at 14 percent and 13 percent respectively.
To combat these persistent challenges, nearly half (47 percent) of the hotels surveyed have turned to wage increases as their primary recruitment strategy. Additionally, 20 percent are offering flexible work hours, 13 percent provide employee discounts, and 9 percent are actively engaging in job fairs and targeted advertising campaigns. These efforts underscore the industry’s commitment to not only attracting new talent but also enhancing career mobility and establishing clear paths for advancement within the sector.
Adam Robinson, Co-Founder & CEO of Hireology, emphasized the importance of comprehensive workforce development. “The hospitality industry faces a dual challenge: staffing shortages, particularly in key roles like housekeeping and front desk, coupled with the need to retain existing talent,” Robinson stated. He added that while wage hikes and other benefits are positive steps, creating robust career advancement opportunities is critical to truly solving the staffing crisis.
Beyond the hotel industry, these labor shortages mirror broader trends in the U.S. job market. At the end of 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 7.6 million job openings nationwide, while only 5.5 million unemployed individuals were available to fill these roles. Despite these national figures, a notable 72 percent of hoteliers surveyed remain optimistic about career prospects, believing that opportunities in the hospitality sector are just as good—or even better—than they were before the pandemic.
As the industry continues to navigate these staffing challenges, the focus remains on sustainable workforce development. With ongoing improvements and strategic initiatives in place, the hospitality sector is working diligently to bridge the employment gap and meet the evolving needs of travelers and guests across the nation.
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