When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country in 2020, the tourism sector was very badly affected. Many hotels were forced to close as travelling came to a halt. Fast forward, 2 years later as Malaysia enters the endemic phase, the tourism sector is gaining back its momentum and businesses were starting to get back on track.
Effective 1 April 2022, fully vaccinated international tourists were allowed to enter Malaysia and locals were able to enjoy the domestic tourism with the uplifting of the travel ban.
This was very much welcomed by the hotels as they are now ready to welcome the guests and regain back the business.
As the borders opened, the hotels now face another problem of hiring new employees. There is now an acute shortage of hospitality staff to operate the hotels. Some hotels are multi-tasking their employees. Staff are tasked from the food and beverage department to housekeeping and vice-versa to fulfil the demand of the guests. In the morning, the staff could be at the restaurant and in the afternoon, they could be at the housekeeping.
As much as the hotels would like to keep their hotels full or at the highest occupancy level, the shortage of staff to provide the required level of service has resulted in some hotels to curb their room occupancy level.
Now comes the question of where are the hospitality staff? Many of them have switched to other sectors during the pandemic and moved on with their new found career. During the pandemic time, some of them had found other entrepreneurial ventures that are more rewarding.
The shortage of hospitality staff in the country is also caused by a strong demand of hospitality staff to work overseas. Hotels regionally and internationally are re-opening with better rewards and pay scale. There is a strong inclination of the younger hospitality graduates to explore the world with better income overseas.
All this indicates that the hotels today are in dire need of trained staff in the hospitality industry and provides a good opportunity for graduates in this field. The hospitality sector will regain back its glory days!
Effective 1 April 2022, fully vaccinated international tourists were allowed to enter Malaysia and locals were able to enjoy the domestic tourism with the uplifting of the travel ban.
This was very much welcomed by the hotels as they are now ready to welcome the guests and regain back the business.
As the borders opened, the hotels now face another problem of hiring new employees. There is now an acute shortage of hospitality staff to operate the hotels. Some hotels are multi-tasking their employees. Staff are tasked from the food and beverage department to housekeeping and vice-versa to fulfil the demand of the guests. In the morning, the staff could be at the restaurant and in the afternoon, they could be at the housekeeping.
As much as the hotels would like to keep their hotels full or at the highest occupancy level, the shortage of staff to provide the required level of service has resulted in some hotels to curb their room occupancy level.
Now comes the question of where are the hospitality staff? Many of them have switched to other sectors during the pandemic and moved on with their new found career. During the pandemic time, some of them had found other entrepreneurial ventures that are more rewarding.
The shortage of hospitality staff in the country is also caused by a strong demand of hospitality staff to work overseas. Hotels regionally and internationally are re-opening with better rewards and pay scale. There is a strong inclination of the younger hospitality graduates to explore the world with better income overseas.
All this indicates that the hotels today are in dire need of trained staff in the hospitality industry and provides a good opportunity for graduates in this field. The hospitality sector will regain back its glory days!
Words by:
Mr Yeoh Tay Boon
Mr Yeoh Tay Boon
Head, School of Hospitality Management