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unfilled positions in the U.S. hospitality industry, where unions are not strong, “the starting wages and scholarships for recruitment and retention
and that was a sharp rise from the employment for hotel employees far exceed the minimum purposes.
gap that existed earlier in the year. wage.” In heavily unionized cities, such as Chicago,
the starting hourly wage for room attendants is “What we do is pull all those pieces together
That difficulty in filling jobs isn’t just a problem nearly $20, he said. for the applicant while they are working at the
for U.S. hospitality. property,” Crawford said. “They could also be
“The federal minimum wage might impact some going to school online or in person to further
“Human capital development,” said Paul Pruang- of our properties that have restaurants attached their degree.”
karn, a spokesman for the Pacif ic Asia Travel to them; in large measure, it's not an issue that
Association, “is one of the industry’s greatest we focus on,” Crawford said. To varying degrees, the difficulties in training FROM COCKPITS TO GUEST
challenges, especially in a region experiencing and finding workers to meet the needs of the
an incredible rate of growth.” While the Pacific Crawford pointed out that the “global iconic travel and hospitality industry is a global problem. ROOMS, THE TRAVEL
Asia Travel Association sees this as a priority in brands” often have the resources to address
2019 and for the foreseeable future, so does the the labor crunch and recruitment issues, while In the ridesharing industry, for example, Uber AND TOURISM INDUSTRY
American Hotel & Lodging Association, which smaller, regional players likely don’t have the struggles to recruit and retain drivers, who are
offers several programs to develop talent in both same options. independent contractors, and is enticing them CONFRONTS A DIRE NEED
low-level and managerial positions. with rewards and other incentives. Taking a page
“Especially if you are a management company from Starbucks and the U.S. hospitality industry, IN FINDING AND TRAINING
At the trade association’s committee meetings, or an owner that operates in one geographical Uber is helping drivers obtain college degrees.
recruitment and retention of skilled workers area, you’re drawing upon the workforce available QUALIFIED JOB APPLICANTS
is an issue that members frequently bring up, to you in that specific area,” Crawford said. “The Many tourism boards around the world grapple
Pruangkarn said. “Some members have created brands obviously have a much further reach, and with training locals, from taxi drivers to airport TO FILL THEIR NEEDS.
their own programs to recruit and train workers they have more resources.” employees, in customer service so visitors will
while others look at alternative solutions to have satisfactory experiences when arriving on TRAINING AND REWARDING
address the issue,” he added. The hotel association realizes that it can’t rely on vacations.
the government to pass legislation to increase WORKERS IN EVEN THE
A Wake-Up Call the labor pool; there already is an acute short- Pruangkarn of the Pacific Asia Travel Association
age of available guest workers through the noted how recruitment for tourism and hospi- LOWEST-PAYING JOBS IS VITAL
One can easily see how the labor shortage may federal H-2B program to meet seasonal needs, tality jobs is a key challenge in the region. The
place increasing pressure on big travel and for example, as the hospitality industry has to association has a young tourism professional BECAUSE THEY CAN MAKE OR
hospitality companies to treat their workers compete with other sectors for the limited ranks ambassador program for outreach to universi-
better in 2019. With the U.S. unemployment of these foreign workers. ty students and for visits to the organization’s BREAK A BRAND OR A TRIP.
rate at a 48-year low, 3.7 percent in November; student chapters.
nationwide calls for a higher minimum wage; “When there's not enough workers, what happens
a strike against Marriott giving prominence to is is that resorts and hotels suffer,” Crawford “Over the past few years, we have also created
hospitality worker grievances; and little hope for said. “They can't operate at full capacity. Maybe various activities and programs for youth from
immigration reform in a gridlocked Washington, they can't take on that wedding that occurs around the region to get involved and have their
D.C., there is every indication that the problem will over the weekend or maybe they can't have voices heard,” Pruangkarn said.
be more acute this year. The only relief in sight 100 percent of their rooms available. It is a real
from a labor shortage standpoint would be an challenge, and the reality is that with this low The training and recruitment of enough airlines
economic recession — and nobody wants that. unemployment, there are very few Americans pilots is also a growing concern in regions such
that are seeking part-time seasonal employment. as Southeast Asia, for example, where domes-
The dilemma for hospitality workers at the low They want full-time employment, and it's a very tic and international tourism is increasing at a rival, Airbus, are producing planes as fast as they
end of the wage scale is that they often live competitive market.” frenetic pace. The New York Times highlighted can, the number of experienced pilots, aircraft
paycheck to paycheck trying to support their the issue when discussing the November crash engineers, mechanics and even air safety regula-
families, and some chains’ business models seem Crawford noted that the American Hotel & of Lion Air flight 610 into the Java Sea. tors has lagged.”
to be based around outsourcing and not giving Lodging Association is working with Grads of
their workers enough hours to make ends meet. Life to recruit young people into low-skilled “The crash also points to a growing problem Even if a potential economic recession relieves

positions so “they can get their foot in the door”; in aviation indirectly caused by the advent of some of the strains on labor shortages, the travel
Brian Crawford, senior vice president of govern- started an apprentice program for hotel assistant low-cost airlines and an explosive growth in and hospitality industry would still have to put
ment affairs for the American Hotel & Lodging general managers; and is offering a cost-f ree the number of people who can afford to fly,” together economic packages to entice high-cal-
Association, said that even in U.S. municipalities college program through tuition reimbursement the story said. “While Boeing and its European iber employees to join its ranks.

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