The hotel industry is facing a significant workforce shortage, despite offering competitive wages and improved benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. hotels added only 700 jobs in June, highlighting the ongoing struggle to fill open positions.
Total hotel employment currently stands at approximately 1.92 million, which is over 196,000 fewer workers compared to February 2020, before the pandemic. This shortage is hindering the industry’s ability to meet the growing demand for travel.
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) attributes the ongoing labor shortage to the nationwide workforce crisis. They argue that the industry is unable to reach its full potential due to the lack of available employees.
AHLA is urging the Department of Homeland Security to immediately issue nearly 65,000 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas to address the shortage. They also advocate for Congress to pass legislation aimed at expanding the workforce, including programs to support job training and skills development.
The AHLA Foundation is committed to addressing the workforce shortage through workforce development initiatives. They offer programs to help hotels fill open positions and raise awareness of the diverse career opportunities available within the industry.
