BOCA RATON Fla., May 5, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The ailing hospitality and tourism industries are still a long way from recovering from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Florida workers survey at Atlantic University.

Around 70 percent of the more than 4,000 respondents believed that COVID-19 would have a negative long-term impact on the industry, while 65 percent believed that the industry does not protect its employees better than other sectors.

More than a third of those surveyed said they would be looking for a job outside of the industry in the next year. Meanwhile, much-needed newcomers are more likely to leave the industry or its organizations, the survey found.

Even when hotels, restaurants, and other workplaces are full again, there is severe labor shortage and US colleges and universities can expect hospitality and tourism enrollments to decline by a year or two Peter Ricci, Ed.D., director of FAU program for hotel and tourism management.

“These programs are the largest future workforce pipeline for the hospitality and tourism industries in America,” said Ricci. “For years, the industry has been grappling with a PR problem consisting of long working hours, low wages and demanding guests. Now those in the business have an even more clouded picture of the impact of the pandemic. The industry needs more than just a PR campaign. The workforce, the compensation rates and the treatment of employees must be fundamentally revised. “

FAU researcher Ricci, Soyoung Park, Ph.D., Anil Bilgihan, Ph.D. and Ye ZhangPh.D. conducted the survey in March and April with responses from 46 countries, including all US states and territories. The respondents identified all major industry segments: accommodation; Food service; Tourism and transportation; Events; and leisure, recreation and sport.

In Florida alone, the hospitality and tourism industry is an annual $ 111.7 billion business with approximately 1.5 million employees Florida Restaurant and Accommodation Association Trading group.

The results of the FAU survey reflected the results of a survey by the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Respondents to the FAU survey indicated that employers were too quick to fire them or take them on leave and that employers cared more about share value than employees themselves.

In March 2020, when COVID-19 began to disrupt almost every aspect of American life and many employees were unemployed, FAU decided to help hospitality workers continue their education by offering a Free hospitality and tourism management certificate through the Executive Education Department of the College of Business. Worldwide, more than 77,000 people have registered for the certificate, which typically costs $ 900.

“The overwhelming response showed that workers wanted to stay engaged during the pandemic,” Ricci said. “However, the results of this survey clearly show that employees are now fed up and want to switch to other industries. That is a big problem. ”

Ricci offers 500 to 1,000 executive vacancies every week. He said employers are desperate to attract talent. Some offer $ 500 new hire signing bonuses as well as quick promotion options.

Just before the pandemic, industry leaders tried to delay raising the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour, according to Ricci. Now the average entry-level wage for hotel entrants has regularly exceeded this mark.

“The hospitality staff shortage cannot continue if the industry is to grow and be profitable over the long term,” he said.

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