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Employing Technology Is the New Hire Hotels Need to Counter Staffing Shortages
Hotels are turning to automation and digital tools to fill gaps that wage increases and scheduling flexibility alone cannot solve
Key takeaways
Over 80% of hotels report difficulties filling staffing positions.
Automation and digital tools are being adopted to address staff shortages.
The Mountain View Hospitality Academy is launching a training program to support the hospitality industry.
Facing critical staffing shortages, over 80% of hotels struggle to fill positions despite offering higher wages and flexible hours, as reported by a recent American Hotel & Lodging Association survey. While slightly improved since May 2022, this situation highlights a significant challenge in the hospitality industry, with housekeeping roles being the most urgently needed.
Over 80% of hotels struggle to fill positions despite offering higher wages and flexible hours.
In response to similar challenges, the Mountain View Hospitality Academy in Fort Davis is launching an innovative training program in early 2024 aimed at equipping locals, especially high school students and adults, with skills for the hotel and restaurant industry. This initiative, supported by Mobile Comunidad and in partnership with Cornell University, offers affordable, accredited training and internships, addressing the staffing needs in the region's burgeoning tourism sector.
Until the staffing shortages decrease, how can the hospitality industry navigate these ongoing labor challenges while ensuring a positive and memorable guest experience?
Calvin Stovall, a Hospitality Historian & Keynote Speaker, and CEO of ICONIC Presentations LLC, recommends strategically using technology to supplement staffing shortages and enhance guest satisfaction.
"Anything technology related, anything you can do to streamline operations or anything that you can do even from an entertainment standpoint to make that experience more memorable is going to, of course, affect in a positive way customers' guest satisfaction," Stovall said.
Anything technology related, anything you can do to streamline operations or anything that you can do even from an entertainment standpoint to make that experience more memorable is going to, of course, affect in a positive way customers' guest satisfaction.
— Calvin Stovall, Hospitality Historian & Keynote Speaker, CEO of ICONIC Presentations LLC
About the author
Armed with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality and non-profit services industries, Calvin’s audiences learn real-life, hands-on practical customer experience and leadership principles which can be easily applied to business challenges today. Calvin designed a practical and systematic technique called The ICONIC Framework™ to help organizations achieve and maintain iconic status in the eyes of their customers. The ICONIC Framework was built based on nearly two decades of practical branding and leadership experience, and countless hours of readings from secondary research of iconic brands over the years.
