**A Not-So-Hotel-California Summer: Hospitality Industry Faces Staffing Hiccups**
As summer vacationers eagerly pack their bags and head to their favorite hotel getaways, they might encounter an unexpected twist in their holiday plans. The usual array of hotel services and amenities they have come to expect might be curtailed, all thanks to a persistent staffing shortage. Despite gradual improvements in post-pandemic staffing levels in the hospitality sector, a significant number of positions remain unfilled, leading to a domino effect that impacts the overall guest experience.
The National Hotel & Lodging Association reports that a staggering 76% of hotels across the United States are currently understaffed. This statistic is particularly concerning for vacation hotspots like Las Vegas, which has struggled to rebound fully in the post-pandemic era. The general manager of the Sheraton in Myrtle Beach, Suzanne Hinde, highlights the stark reality of the situation. She notes that her housekeeping team could easily double from 20 to 40 members during the summer peak, and the food and beverage staff face similar pressures. With a reduced workforce, some hotels may only be able to clean guest rooms every other day or just a few times a week, which can be a letdown for guests expecting daily turndown service.
In an innovative twist, some hotels have turned to technology for assistance. The Sheraton in Myrtle Beach, for instance, has invested in a robot named Wiz to vacuum the long hallways, saving labor costs and time. However, not all hotels have the financial muscle to afford such high-tech solutions. Hinde mentions that she is unaware of any other hotels in the area with similar robotic helpers, making her hotel something of a pioneer in this aspect, albeit out of sheer necessity.
While hotels have raised wages to attract more staff since the pandemic, hiring remains a formidable challenge. Up the coast in Beaufort, North Carolina, the situation is a bit more manageable but still far from ideal. According to Beaufort Hotel General Manager Peter Grills, they are only short a handful of housekeepers and chefs. Yet, even this small gap has forced them to turn away guests, unable to sell 6 to 10 rooms on certain days because they couldn’t clean them in time. This is not just a minor inconvenience but a significant revenue loss, especially during peak vacation seasons.
Efforts are underway to address these staffing shortages on a broader scale. Kevin Carey, the interim president of the National Hotel & Lodging Association, mentions that they are advocating for legislation to expand the H-2B visa program. This program allows migrants to work temporarily in non-agricultural jobs, which could be a game-changer for the hospitality industry. Expanding this visa program could potentially fill the staffing gaps and restore the full spectrum of services that guests have come to expect.
As the hospitality industry grapples with these challenges, vacationers might need to adjust their expectations slightly. While the robot vacuum might be a fun novelty, nothing beats the personal touch of a fully staffed hotel. Until then, patience and a sense of humor might just be the best travel companions for this summer.
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