EL PASO, Texas – Just weeks before the United States reopens the Mexico border, many El Paso businesses are looking forward to welcoming foreign travelers, but some are still grappling with labor shortages.
When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, many industries were hit hard, including tourism, hospitality, retail and restaurants.
The president of the EL Paso Hotel and Lodging Association told ABC-7 that the hotel industry is still grappling with major bottlenecks but is optimistic that the border restrictions will be lifted.
Marco Ortega said that “a lot of the business for many of our hotels comes from manufacturing in Juarez.
Ortega said many of his colleagues were happy to hear the border was reopening.
Ortega added that it will be difficult to measure the impact of the border reopening, but they look forward to taking the opportunity.
“It’s extra occupancy and extra revenue that will go into our hotels, so I mean, especially as our busy shopping season approaches – it will be good for the hotel economy here in El Paso,” he said.
The general manager of the Great American Steakburger Restaurant in Mesa Hills said they still had to prepare for the big reopening day.
Victor Aguilar said they are still facing staff shortages due to the pandemic and are sometimes forced to close during the week.
“We have to prepare better, we need more staff. We have to be able to keep our guest traffic going, ”he said.
