抖M女仆 Poll Tells Disturbing Tale of Hospitality and Tourism Employment
The world鈥檚 battered hospitality and tourism industry has a long way to go to rebound from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey of workers conducted by 抖M女仆.
Roughly 70 percent of the more than 4,000 respondents felt COVID-19 would have a negative long-term impact on the industry, while 65 percent said they felt the industry did not protect its employees better than other sectors.
More than one-third of respondents indicated they would be seeking employment outside the industry over the next year. Meanwhile, desperately needed entry-level workers are more likely than not to leave the industry or their organizations, the poll showed.
Even as hotels, restaurants and other places of employment ramp back up to full staffing, they face a severe shortage of workers, and U.S. colleges and universities can expect a one- or two-year decline in hospitality and tourism enrollment, said , Ed.D., director of .
鈥淭hese programs are the largest pipeline of future workers for the hospitality and tourism industry in America,鈥 Ricci said. 鈥淔or years, the industry has struggled with a public relations problem of long hours, low pay and demanding guests. Now those who work in the business have an even more tarnished image from the pandemic鈥檚 impacts. The industry needs more than just a PR campaign. It needs a full overhaul in its staffing levels, pay rates and employee treatment.鈥
抖M女仆 researchers Ricci, , Ph.D., , Ph.D., and , Ph.D., conducted the survey in March and April, with responses coming from 46 countries, including all U.S. states and territories. Respondents made up all the major industry segments: lodging; food service; tourism and transportation; events; and leisure, recreation and sports.
In Florida alone, hospitality and tourism is a $111.7 billion annual business with about 1.5 million employees, according to the trade group.
Results of the 抖M女仆 survey mirrored those from a poll conducted by the . Respondents to the 抖M女仆 survey said employers were too quick to fire or furlough them and that employers cared more about stock value than the workers themselves.
In March 2020, with COVID-19 starting to disrupt nearly every aspect of American life and many employees out of work, 抖M女仆 decided to help hospitality workers continue their education by offering a through the . More than 77,000 people worldwide registered for the certificate, which normally costs $900.聽
鈥淭he overwhelming response showed that workers wanted to stay engaged during the pandemic,鈥 Ricci said. 鈥淏ut the results of this poll clearly indicate that employees now are fed up and are looking at moving on to other industries. That鈥檚 a huge concern.鈥澛犅
Ricci posts 500 to 1,000 entry-level to senior-management job openings a week. He said employers are desperate to attract talent, with some offering $500 signing bonuses for new employees as well as fast-track promotion opportunities.
Just prior to the pandemic, industry leaders were attempting to hold off on raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, according to Ricci. Now the average starting wage for entry-level hotel workers has regularly surpassed that mark.
鈥淭he shortage in hospitality workers cannot continue if the industry is to sustain long-term growth and profitability,鈥 he said.
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Tags: business | coronavirus | faculty and staff