AHLA Expands Recruitment Drive As 97% Hotels Report Staff Shortage

Per a latest group survey taken by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, nearly all hotels are facing staffing shortages, with half reporting being severely understaffed (AHLA). 97 percent of survey respondents reported a labor scarcity, with 49 percent reporting a serious shortage. Housekeeping is the most significant staffing demand, with 58 percent citing it as their most critical aspect.

To satisfy the demand, hotels are giving a variety of incentives to potential employees: over 90% have boosted compensation, 71% have extended hours flexibility, and 43% have improved perks.

These initiatives have had some success—respondents indicate they have employed an extra 23 new employees per location in the previous three months, but they are also looking to fill an additional 12 positions. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of respondent’s report being unable to fill available positions.

The AHLA Foundation has extended its “A Place to Stay” multi-channel advertising campaign to assist hotels fill more than 130,000 unfilled positions nationally and boost awareness of the hospitality industry’s 200+ career paths.

The campaign is currently active in 14 cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, and Tampa, following a successful pilot in five areas.

To further target prospective workers, the Foundation has increased its multilingual English/Spanish effort and established numerous upgraded digital initiatives.

“If you’ve ever thought about working at a hotel, now’s the time because the pay is better than it’s ever been, the benefits are better than they’ve ever been, and the opportunity is better than it’s ever been. The expansion of AHLA Foundation’s ‘A Place to Stay’ recruitment campaign will help us bring this message to the masses at a crucial time, helping expand the hotel industry’s pool of prospective workers and grow our talent pipeline,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers.

“With hotels on a hiring spree amid surging summer travel demand, our industry is providing current and prospective hotel employees historic opportunities for good-paying, lifelong careers. ‘A Place to Stay’ helps us tell that story by highlighting the many pathways and countless career opportunities the hotel industry provides,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA executive vice president of communications and public relations and president & CEO of AHLA Foundation.