AHLA: Housekeeping a priority as 67% of hotels face ongoing staff shortages

Monday, February 5, 2024

A recent survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) reveals that over two-thirds of hotels are grappling with staffing shortages, prompting hoteliers to enhance compensation and introduce various incentives to attract and retain talent.

In the past six months, 82% of respondents have increased wages, reaching a record high average for hotels in December 2023. Additionally, 59% are providing greater flexibility in working hours, and 33% are expanding benefits. Despite these efforts, 72% still struggle to fill open positions.

According to the survey, 67% of respondents are facing staffing shortages, with 12% describing their situation as “severely understaffed,” impacting their operational capabilities. Housekeeping remains the most critical staffing need, with 48% ranking it as their top hiring priority.

While these figures represent an improvement from May 2023, when 82% reported staffing shortages, the current survey indicates that respondents are attempting to fill an average of nine positions per property, a slight increase from the seven vacancies per property reported in January 2023.

The persistent staffing challenges have led to unprecedented career opportunities for hotel employees, with over 70,000 hotel jobs available nationwide, according to Indeed. As of December 2023, national average hotel wages reached an all-time high of $23.91 per hour, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Despite these positive developments, AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers emphasizes the need for congressional action to address labor shortages. Proposed measures include expanding and streamlining the H-2B guestworker program, passing the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, and enacting the H-2 Improvements to Relieve Employers (HIRE) Act.

Rogers urges lawmakers to exempt returning workers from the H-2B cap, allowing hotels to hire critical seasonal staff. The Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act is proposed to enable asylum seekers to work sooner, addressing staffing needs, while the HIRE Act aims to simplify the labor certification process and waive in-person interviews for returning workers over a three-year period. These actions are seen as crucial steps to support the hospitality industry in overcoming workforce challenges.

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