Since last year, when many hotels and restaurants were forced to shut down due to the pandemic, there has been a struggle to find hospitality workers as the industry rebounds. After millions of hotel and restaurant workers were laid off, many decided to find jobs in other industries. With the inability to fill these positions, the cost of labor has risen significantly. Although wages are higher, there are more qualified candidates to select from even though there are fewer people willing to work in hospitality. So, the question becomes how can hotels combat this labor shortage when willing and qualified employees are hard to come by?

Mastering Virtual Check-In

More and more, guests are looking at virtual check-in as a way to stay safe from COVID. This process not only reduces the spread of the virus but also streamlines the process for guests. Why hire another face when guests increasingly prefer this contactless method? Implementing virtual check-in not only saves you from taking on another employee but also saves your current employees time to focus on other tasks. In addition, you can integrate this with other cloud-based solutions you may want to implement in the future.

Implementing Text Message Requests 

Texting is a quick and efficient way to communicate. Not only does it reduce the talk time between employees and guests, it is also a safer means of communication as it limits the spread of COVID. Sending mass texts is a great way to notify your guests of any delays or issues that arise so everyone is well-informed. Guests can also use messaging to request items, such as more towels, which can then be delivered by whichever employee is available.

Employee Focus: Reduce Turnover

While automating some tasks and saving employee time is a great way to make the most of this difficult situation, reducing turnover from employees is the best solution for hoteliers. Offering employees flexibility is a great way to keep them with you: “research shows that the average Generation Y worker is uninterested in a job for life, instead, they are seeking flexibility and work-life balance.” (From: https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4106002.html). It’s important to do what you can to keep morale up. Hospitality is difficult work, so offering flexible schedules and understanding to your employees will go a long way in earning their loyalty and simply be invaluable in the long term.

There is no one path to solving the labor shortage at your hotel; nothing is ever that easy and it will continue to be an uphill trek for a while. However, if you find yourself inundated with tasks and need to get some computer-based ones off your plate, Travel Media Group can help. With our Reputation Management service, we help you get more positive reviews and manage negative ones in order to improve your hotel’s occupancy and increase revenue.