Anita Suleimanova | 17.09.2025
The Hospitality Crisis: Why No One Wants to Work in Hospitality Anymore
The hospitality industry is one of the oldest sectors of the economy. This includes hotels, restaurants, cruises, travel agencies and more. At its heart, hospitality is about people, the industry employees who provide comfort and great experiences for millions of tourists daily.
But today, this sector is facing a serious crisis: a chronic shortage of workers. Businesses cannot find workers, from housekeepers to hotel managers. In fact, more and more people are questioning: Why does no one want to work in hotels?
Is This Issue Related to COVID-19?
The hospitality industry was significantly influenced by the pandemic of COVID-19 pandemic. More than one million hotel workers lost their jobs amid lockdowns. Thousands of them now work in other industries, and they never returned. Meanwhile, stress and burnout spiked. Many workers were pushed to the limit by long shifts and fear of uncertainty about their future. Some even ended up with mental health issues and substance abuse. The damage was long-lasting.
Hard Work, Low Pay
Hospitality is a highly demanding job. Employees are required to put in long hours doing physically demanding tasks, and dealing with difficult customers - all must be served with a smile. Yet, in many situations, they are remunerated at minimum wage or slightly above that.
According to a report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association 2024, in the U.S., 65% of hotels are understaffed. There is also a high number of vacancies in the UK, with over 130,000 roles unfilled in the hospitality sector.
But today, this sector is facing a serious crisis: a chronic shortage of workers. Businesses cannot find workers, from housekeepers to hotel managers. In fact, more and more people are questioning: Why does no one want to work in hotels?
Is This Issue Related to COVID-19?
The hospitality industry was significantly influenced by the pandemic of COVID-19 pandemic. More than one million hotel workers lost their jobs amid lockdowns. Thousands of them now work in other industries, and they never returned. Meanwhile, stress and burnout spiked. Many workers were pushed to the limit by long shifts and fear of uncertainty about their future. Some even ended up with mental health issues and substance abuse. The damage was long-lasting.
Hard Work, Low Pay
Hospitality is a highly demanding job. Employees are required to put in long hours doing physically demanding tasks, and dealing with difficult customers - all must be served with a smile. Yet, in many situations, they are remunerated at minimum wage or slightly above that.
According to a report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association 2024, in the U.S., 65% of hotels are understaffed. There is also a high number of vacancies in the UK, with over 130,000 roles unfilled in the hospitality sector.
Limited Growth
The third main causative factor is the absence of growth prospects. A high level of positions is characterized by minimal training, infrequent promotions, and no clear direction for advancement, thus leaving workers feeling trapped. It's really hard to stay motivated in a job when you just don't feel like you're needed or you see no future in it.
Work-life Balance is Difficult?
One has to expect that working in hospitality will mean giving up their evenings, weekends, and holidays. These are times when most people would relax with their family or friends. This demanding schedule makes it hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle and just impose personal time. It's not such a good opportunity for young people today who are unwilling to even sacrifice their well-being for jobs that won't even think of supporting work-life balance.
Is Technology Seen as a Threat?
Automation is where many hotels are coping with the staff shortage. Machines check in guests, clean rooms, or deliver room service. Much of this is like a kind of relief from staff pressure. Yet, it causes worries related to how human jobs are just going to disappear. Some potential workers might decide not to enter the industry at all if they think they will soon be replaced by technology.
Solutions? What Must Change?
To get out of this crisis, action needs to be taken rather than lip service from the hospitality industry. Here are a few solutions that could make all the difference:
People are the Foundation of Hospitality
The future of the hospitality industry is dependent on people, the guests who book the rooms and the workers who keep the operation running. The housekeepers, receptionists, cooks, maintenance workers, and beyond are equally valuable, and without their efforts, the industry simply would not exist.
Change is Long Overdue
For a long time, hospitality workers have been working longer hours for minimum pay with little to no appreciation or recognition. Change is happening. There is a better understanding of people's rights today, a stronger interest in mental health, and a greater focus on future career growth. Workers in hospitality are less inclined than ever to work in a job that "exhausts them". This is a good thing because the industry can grow into something better.
Putting Workers First
The hospitality industry must view the people working in it as valuable while taking care of them first, if there is any hope for survival and all its associated opportunities. With that in mind, fairness in wages, flexible schedule, respect for working conditions, and opportunities to see career progression must be priorities.
Listen, Learn and Act
There is also valuable feedback to be had, and change must be made based on that feedback, not just problems that provide only a solution as a band-aid fix. Employers also need to factor in the health and well-being of their workers. For example, using new models such as mental health training, offering paid leave, and professional development opportunities helps ensure employers are giving back to their workers in an investment-type way to ensure that their workforce is capable, dedicated, and motivated.
Government Support Can Make a Difference
The government can support people transitioning to the hospitality industry by publicly funding education and apprenticeship support programs for future hospitality workers.
Changing Society's View of Hospitality Jobs
Society must also value hospitality work more broadly. Hotel jobs are often considered "temporary" or a "lesser" skilled job, when they really require a remarkable amount of emotional intelligence and communication skills, significant initiative, fast or critical thinking, the ability to respect others and be a team player. These wrapped up are transferable life skills to any other industry today.
The third main causative factor is the absence of growth prospects. A high level of positions is characterized by minimal training, infrequent promotions, and no clear direction for advancement, thus leaving workers feeling trapped. It's really hard to stay motivated in a job when you just don't feel like you're needed or you see no future in it.
Work-life Balance is Difficult?
One has to expect that working in hospitality will mean giving up their evenings, weekends, and holidays. These are times when most people would relax with their family or friends. This demanding schedule makes it hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle and just impose personal time. It's not such a good opportunity for young people today who are unwilling to even sacrifice their well-being for jobs that won't even think of supporting work-life balance.
Is Technology Seen as a Threat?
Automation is where many hotels are coping with the staff shortage. Machines check in guests, clean rooms, or deliver room service. Much of this is like a kind of relief from staff pressure. Yet, it causes worries related to how human jobs are just going to disappear. Some potential workers might decide not to enter the industry at all if they think they will soon be replaced by technology.
Solutions? What Must Change?
To get out of this crisis, action needs to be taken rather than lip service from the hospitality industry. Here are a few solutions that could make all the difference:
- Decent pay that reflects the hard work
- Training and promotion;
- Healthier hours and conditions;
- Respect and recognition for all roles;
- Government programs for hiring and education;
- Changing public view: this can become a dignified career.
People are the Foundation of Hospitality
The future of the hospitality industry is dependent on people, the guests who book the rooms and the workers who keep the operation running. The housekeepers, receptionists, cooks, maintenance workers, and beyond are equally valuable, and without their efforts, the industry simply would not exist.
Change is Long Overdue
For a long time, hospitality workers have been working longer hours for minimum pay with little to no appreciation or recognition. Change is happening. There is a better understanding of people's rights today, a stronger interest in mental health, and a greater focus on future career growth. Workers in hospitality are less inclined than ever to work in a job that "exhausts them". This is a good thing because the industry can grow into something better.
Putting Workers First
The hospitality industry must view the people working in it as valuable while taking care of them first, if there is any hope for survival and all its associated opportunities. With that in mind, fairness in wages, flexible schedule, respect for working conditions, and opportunities to see career progression must be priorities.
Listen, Learn and Act
There is also valuable feedback to be had, and change must be made based on that feedback, not just problems that provide only a solution as a band-aid fix. Employers also need to factor in the health and well-being of their workers. For example, using new models such as mental health training, offering paid leave, and professional development opportunities helps ensure employers are giving back to their workers in an investment-type way to ensure that their workforce is capable, dedicated, and motivated.
Government Support Can Make a Difference
The government can support people transitioning to the hospitality industry by publicly funding education and apprenticeship support programs for future hospitality workers.
Changing Society's View of Hospitality Jobs
Society must also value hospitality work more broadly. Hotel jobs are often considered "temporary" or a "lesser" skilled job, when they really require a remarkable amount of emotional intelligence and communication skills, significant initiative, fast or critical thinking, the ability to respect others and be a team player. These wrapped up are transferable life skills to any other industry today.
