Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Report: Hotels use new tools to boost staffing

The industry will add 14,000 employees in 2025, but employee numbers will remain below 2019 levels

AHLA’s 2025 report on tech adoption to address staffing shortages in the industry

Hotels are leveraging new tools and technologies to recruit and retain employees as the industry works toward pre-pandemic staffing levels, according to a recent American Hotel & Lodging Association report.

Hotels Leverage Tech to Address Staffing Challenges in 2025

HOTELS ARE USING new tools and technologies to recruit and retain employees as the industry works toward pre-pandemic staffing levels, according to a recent American Hotel & Lodging Association report. The association, citing data from Oxford Economics and STR/CoStar, projects the hotel industry will add more than 14,000 employees in 2025, but employee numbers will remain below 2019 levels.

AHLA’s 2025 State of the Industry Report predicts hotel employment will rise year-over-year in most states, though only Montana and Washington, D.C., will exceed 2019 staffing levels.


“The hospitality sector has made strides in rebuilding its workforce and creating opportunities for career advancement, but staffing shortages remain a challenge,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO. “The good news is that hotels have never been more competitive, offering strong wages, expanded benefits, and a focus on employee satisfaction.”

The report’s contributors—American Express, Ecolab, Encore, Hireology, Oracle and Towne Park—highlight an industry facing challenges while adopting technology that empowers guests, businesses and workers, AHLA said. They see rising customer expectations and an industry adapting to meet them.

Key findings include:

  • Encore outlines methods for improving workforce satisfaction, and Hireology identifies factors for hiring top candidates.
  • American Express reports that Millennials and Gen-Z prioritize travel experiences, even sacrificing daily expenses to save for trips.
  • Ecolab finds guests still prioritize cleanliness, and Towne Park notes that integrating parking, bell, and door services can offer a competitive edge.
  • Oracle observes AI moving “from experiment to impact,” with hotels using it for tasks ranging from check-in automation to staff scheduling.

The 2025 State of the Industry Partners Trends and Insights Report complements AHLA’s 2025 State of the Industry report released last month.

A recent Expert Market report found that approximately 48 percent of businesses in the accommodation industry view "staffing issues" as the biggest risk to their operations in the next 12 months. Rising labor costs were identified as the second-largest risk by 34 percent, followed by "rising maintenance costs" at 27 percent.

More for you

Marriott Outdoor Collection

Marriott unveils 'Outdoor Collection'

Summary:

  • Marriott launches Outdoor Collection and Bonvoy Outdoors platform.
  • First two brands are Postcard Cabins and Trailborn Hotels.
  • Platform features 450+ hotels, 50,000 homes and activities.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL RECENTLY launched the brand “Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy” and introduced “Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors,” a digital platform that lets travelers plan trips by destination or activity. The first two brands in the Outdoor Collection are Postcard Cabins and Trailborn Hotels.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peachtree adds six hotels to its third-party management platform
Photo credit: Peachtree Group

Peachtree picked to manage six hotels

Summary:

  • Peachtree adds six hotels to third-party platform.
  • Five are owned by La Posada Group, one by Decatur Properties.
  • Third-party portfolio totals 42 hotels.

PEACHTREE GROUP’S HOSPITALITY management division added six hotels to its third-party management platform. Five are owned by La Posada Group LLC and one by Decatur Properties Holdings.

Keep ReadingShow less
AHLA Foundation scholarships

AHLA Foundation awards $710K in scholarships

Summary:

  • AHLA Foundation distributed $710,000 in scholarships to 246 students.
  • Nearly 90 percent of recipients come from underrepresented communities.
  • The foundation funds students pursuing education and careers in the lodging sector.

AHLA FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTED $710,000 in academic scholarships to 246 students at 64 schools nationwide for the 2025–2026 academic year. Nearly 90 percent of recipients are from underrepresented communities, reflecting the foundation’s focus on expanding access to hospitality careers.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. government shutdown
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Congressional deadlock shutters government

Summary:

  • The U.S. government shut down at midnight after Congress failed to agree on funding.
  • About 750,000 federal employees will be furloughed daily, costing $400 million.
  • Key immigration and labor programs are halted.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT shut down at midnight after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on funding. Disputes over healthcare subsidies and spending priorities left both sides unwilling to accept responsibility.

Keep ReadingShow less
WTTC travel report

WTTC: U.S. tops travel sector with $2.6T GDP

Summary:

  • The U.S. led global travel and tourism in 2024 with $2.6 trillion in GDP, WTTC reported.
  • India retained ninth place with $249.3 billion in GDP.
  • The sector supported 357 million jobs in 2024, rising to 371 million in 2025.

THE U.S. LED global travel and tourism in 2024, contributing $2.6 trillion to GDP, mainly from domestic demand, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Europe accounted for five of the top 10 destinations, while India ranked 9th.

Keep ReadingShow less