COVID-19 and the future of work in the hospitality industry

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the hospitality industry. This research combines different data to examine the US labor market trends during COVID-19. It is found that low-preparation jobs in leisure and hospitality are the hardest hit and slow to recover. The pandemic has highlighted growing issues in workplace safety, skill gaps, technology adoption, and work reorganization in the hospitality industry. This paper develops two propositions about preparing hospitality workers for the future of work and providing flexible work arrangements.

A study of work-integrated learning experience of hospitality and tourism management students in Guangdong under the COVID-19 pandemic

“…While improving skills, students can experience the ongoing positive industry changes, particularly in terms of cost control, technology adoption, crisis management, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability, that have greatly redefined the nature of today’s H & T industry. These findings are similar to those of previous studies (Huang et al , 2021; Sigala, 2021). For example, many organizations have followed social distancing policies and introduced new safety and hygiene measures to enhance corporate social responsibility.…”

“…With the nature of high susceptibility to extreme events (Khan et al , 2021; Shah et al , 2021; Zhong et al , 2021), the labor market of H & T industry is heavily affected by COVID-19, causing a mass withdrawal of low-skilled and entry-level workers and the rise of technology adoption (Huang et al , 2021). Cooperation among different stakeholders, especially the industry practitioners and the education institutes, is vital to the alleviation of talent outflow and unemployment issues.…”

“…Some of these technological adaptations and innovations may substitute part of human labor forces and may demand higher-level multiple skills of manpower for the remaining duties (Shah et al , 2021). H & T organizations will offer more tailor-made training for future employees to acquire richer knowledge and higher technology literacy (Huang et al , 2021; Sigala, 2021).…”

Leveraging data analytics to understand the relationship between restaurants’ safety violations and COVID-19 transmission

“…The restaurant industry is one of the most affected industries by the COVID-19 pandemic ( Huang et al, 2021 , Gössling et al, 2020 ). Fears and worries about catching the COVID-19 disease were amplified in food and beverage establishments due to the high-contact nature ( Chen and Eyoun, 2021 ).…”

Performance of the Slovenian Hotel Companies in Times of COVID-19

“…As indicated by Huang et al (2021), the hospitality labour market was more affected compared to other major industries. Their analysis of U.S. data shows that there was a decline in employment and job postings for hospitality workers.…”