Florida Atlantic University (FAU) recently conducted a study on the effects of COVID-19 on the hospitality and tourism industry. The study surveyed more than 4,000 industry workers, 70% of whom felt that the pandemic would have a negative long-term impact on the industry, while 65% said that they felt the industry did not protect its employees better than other sectors. Additionally, more than one-third of respondents indicated that they would be seeking employment outside of the industry within the next year. This is beginning to create a staffing shortage as hotels, restaurants and other places of employment ramp back up to full staffing. FAU took this a step further, predicting that colleges and universities across America will experience a one- or two-year decline in hospitality and tourism enrollment.

“These programs are the largest pipeline of future workers for the hospitality and tourism industry in America,” says Peter Ricci, Ed.D., director of FAU’s hospitality and tourism management program. “For years, the industry has struggled with a public relations problem of long hours, low pay and demanding guests. Now those who work in the business have an even more tarnished image from the pandemic’s impacts. The industry needs more than just a PR campaign. It needs a full overhaul in its staffing levels, pay rates and employee treatment.”

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