More Than 80 Percent of US Hotels Still Dealing With Staffing Shortages

A new survey found that over 80 percent of hotels in the United States are still experiencing staffing shortages.

According to data from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), 87 percent of hoteliers said they are still unable to fill open positions and 82 percent said they are experiencing a staffing shortage.

Of the respondents, 26 percent said staffing issues are impacting the hotel’s ability to operate, with housekeeping remaining the most critical staffing need. The numbers had increased slightly since January, when 79 percent of respondents indicated staffing shortages.

“The need for workers throughout the lodging industry continues to drive historic career opportunities for hotel employees, who are enjoying record wages and better benefits and flexibility than ever before,” AHLA CEO Chip Rogers said.

“That’s why AHLA and the AHLA Foundation remain focused on growing the industry’s talent pipeline through workforce recruitment and retention initiatives like the Foundation’s Empowering Youth and Registered Apprenticeship programs,” Rogers continued.

With hoteliers looking to add an average of nine positions per property, they are looking to offer better pay and benefits to prospective employees. The study found that 75 percent of respondents are increasing wages, 64 percent are offering greater flexibility with hours and 36 percent are expanding benefits.

The AHLA revealed there are more than 100,000 hotel jobs currently open across the U.S., and national average hotel wages reached an all-time high of more than $23 per hour in April.

“But there is still more to be done,” Rogers said. “We need Congress to help address workforce shortages with bipartisan solutions, including those that create opportunities for more immigrants to enter the American economy.”