Hospitality Employers: ready for the future?

The hospitality sector faces significant challenges in the coming years. Societal trends impact the industry, requiring employers to adapt to remain successful. The labor market is rapidly changing, and the future of hospitality demands new skills and roles from employees. This creates a growing need for training and innovative approaches to personnel policies.

To be ready for the future, hospitality employers must focus on attracting and retaining talent. They need to consider the changing collective labor agreement in the hospitality sector and address the preferences of the new generation of employees. This article delves into the trends shaping the industry, the necessary competencies for employees, and strategies to remain an attractive employer in a competitive labor market.

The 5 major challenges on your plate

1. Staff shortage: the search for golden hands

Finding and retaining passionate staff is like searching for a needle in a haystack. But don’t despair! There are innovative ways to turn the tide.

2. Digitization: surfing the technological wave

In a world where even grandma uses TikTok, the hospitality sector cannot lag behind. How can you make technology your best friend instead of your biggest enemy?

3. Sustainability: green is the new black

Customers increasingly expect you to care for the environment as well as their stomachs. How do you make sustainability an integral part of your business operations?

4. Changing consumer preferences: the customer is king 2.0

From flexitarians to digital nomads, guest preferences change faster than you can say “bon appétit.” How do you stay relevant?

5. New regulations: navigating a maze of rules

While managing dishes and orders, new regulations are continuously introduced. How do you comply with all regulations without feeling overwhelmed?

Strategies for attracting and retaining talent

Higher customer satisfaction

Expressing your employer brand is crucial to be interesting and distinctive for new and current employees. A strong employer brand gives companies a preferential position in the minds of employees and new talent. This offers various benefits:

  1. Attracting the right people faster
  2. Successful onboarding
  3. Lower absenteeism and turnover
  4. Better employee experience
  5. Higher customer satisfaction

To strengthen your employer brand, you can conduct a survey to map the current situation. Additionally, it is important to clearly communicate the benefits of working at your company through an employee value proposition (EVP).

Work-life balance and well-being programs

When attracting and retaining talent, it is important to focus on work-life balance and well-being. Some strategies include:

  1. Offering flexible working hours
  2. Creating a supportive work environment
  3. Providing opportunities for personal growth
  4. Building a community of hospitality professionals

Employers who commit to the well-being of their employees, for example by offering flexible schedules and focusing on mental health, become more attractive to talent. It is important to emphasize these aspects in your employer branding and job postings.

By applying these strategies, hospitality companies can position themselves as attractive employers and attract and retain talent in a competitive labor market.

The impact of societal trends on hospitality

Digitization and automation

The hospitality sector can no longer do without automation. Smart technologies enable more efficient work and fewer errors. Automation helps increase accuracy, save time, and reduce the workload for staff.

Examples of automation in hospitality include:

  1. Digital reservation systems
  2. Automated staff scheduling
  3. Bar automation
  4. Contactless payment systems

These technological advancements allow for streamlining processes and increasing productivity, especially important given the persistent staff shortages in the sector.

Sustainability and environmental friendliness

Today’s hospitality guest is difficult to categorize into clearly defined target groups. Consumers have increasingly diverse desires and expectations. They seek good value for money and want to make the most of their free time.

Sustainability, environmental friendliness, and health have become important purchasing factors, especially among older consumers. There is also a growing demand for plant-based options and local, seasonal ingredients. Hospitality establishments respond to this by adapting their menus and applying environmentally friendly practices.

To remain successful, hospitality entrepreneurs must focus on a market-oriented approach. They need to flexibly respond to changing consumer desires and adapt to new trends and developments in the sector.

New competencies for hospitality employees

Technological skills

In the rapidly changing hospitality sector, it is crucial for employees to continually develop their technological skills. With increasing automation and digitization, hospitality employees must become familiar with various systems, such as digital reservation systems, automated staff scheduling, and contactless payment systems. Staying updated on the latest trends and developments within the industry is essential to keep knowledge current.

Adaptability and flexibility

Hospitality is a dynamic sector where no day is the same. This requires great adaptability from employees. They must be able to quickly switch between different tasks and respond to unexpected situations. Flexibility in working hours and tasks is also important to respond to fluctuating business in hospitality.

Employees who are flexible in their availability help the business have the right staffing during peak times and quieter periods. This contributes to the efficient operation of the hospitality business. Moreover, flexibility in work hours offers employees the chance to find a better balance between work and personal life, leading to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.

By developing these competencies, hospitality employees not only prepare for the sector’s challenges but also acquire valuable skills applicable in various work environments. Continuous learning and adapting to new developments is essential to remain successful in the ever-changing hospitality industry.

The future-proof hospitality employer

The hospitality sector faces significant challenges but also offers opportunities for employers who adapt to changing conditions. By responding to trends such as aging, digitization, and changing consumer preferences, hospitality companies can strengthen their competitive position. Developing new competencies among employees, such as technological skills and soft skills, is crucial to remain successful in the sector.

To attract and retain talent, it is important for employers to focus on employer branding, career development, and work-life balance. By investing in these areas, hospitality companies can position themselves as attractive employers in a competitive labor market. This way, they can be ready for the future and face the challenges in the sector.