SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 23, 2025 - Hotels across the U.S. continue to grapple with staffing shortages, even as wages and incentives see significant increases, according to a recent survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and AHLA Gold Partner, Hireology. The survey reveals that 65% of hotels are still facing difficulties in filling open positions.
Persistent Staffing Challenges
Despite the hospitality sector's recovery from the pandemic's impact, hotel employment remains nearly 10% below pre-pandemic levels. Rosanna Maietta, AHLA President and CEO, stated, “The hospitality sector is committed to attracting and retaining talent, investing in workforce development and creating good jobs for millions of Americans and we are working hard in Washington to ensure we have a policy environment that supports these efforts.”
Efforts to Rebuild the Workforce
The industry has actively pursued strategies to rebuild its workforce, including pay raises, flexible hours, and hotel discounts. These efforts have yielded some positive results, reducing the percentage of hotels experiencing staffing shortages from 76% in May 2024 to 65% by the end of the year, as indicated by the survey. Additionally, the number of hotels classified as “severely understaffed” has dropped from 13% in May to 9% in the latest survey.
Unfilled Vacancies and Key Roles
However, a significant challenge remains: more than 70% of surveyed hotels reported vacancies they were unable to fill. On average, hotels have six to seven unfilled positions per property. The most difficult roles to staff are housekeeping (38%), followed by front desk positions (26%), culinary roles (14%), and maintenance jobs (13%).
Strategies for Attraction and Retention
To address these staffing challenges, hotels have primarily focused on increasing wages, with 47% citing pay raises as their key strategy. Other efforts include offering flexible scheduling (20%), providing hotel discounts (13%), and participating in job fairs and advertising (9%).
Adam Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Hireology, emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions, stating, “The hospitality industry faces a dual challenge: staffing shortages, particularly in key roles like housekeeping and front desk, coupled with the need to retain existing talent. While wage increases and other efforts by hoteliers are positive steps, we must prioritize career mobility and create clear paths for advancement to truly attract and retain the workforce we need.”
Optimism Amidst Challenges
Despite the ongoing staffing challenges, a strong majority (72%) of hoteliers remain optimistic about career prospects in the industry, believing that job opportunities in hospitality are as strong as or better than before the pandemic.
Industry and Legislative Initiatives
AHLA continues to advocate for legislative changes to expand workforce opportunities. The AHLA Foundation also runs workforce development programs, including the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship program and the Empowering Youth Program, which connects young adults with entry-level hotel positions and career training.
Survey Methodology
The survey, known as AHLA’s Front Desk Feedback, gathered responses from 282 hoteliers between December 6, 2024, and January 3, 2025. This data provides valuable insights into the current state of hotel staffing and the industry’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain talent.
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