The hospitality industry has gone through a lot in the last few years—a global pandemic changed everything. Restrictions were placed and precautions were taken to limit the spread of Covid-19. So many lives were lost, and many others were threatened by Covid-19. We experienced a sudden, drastic departure from our normal day-to-day life. The once-bustling streets of cities nearly emptied as people isolated. Offices were opting to alternate shifts by team or work from home if applicable. There were months when it was unbelievably difficult to keep toilet paper, cleaning products, and hand sanitizer stocked on store shelves. We had to learn a whole new normal—so much so that face masks, 6 feet, and quarantine took on instantly recognizable connotations post-pandemic.
But this new normal wasn’t equal across all workplaces. For those within and dependent on the hospitality industry, things were different. Many professions still required being near others, such as a waiter, flight attendant, or front desk assistant. While not as emergent as first responders, the hospitality and service industries were necessary to keep society moving. Many jobs require employees to be in environments with a high risk of contamination, such as positions requiring frequent travel or located in private care, grocery stores, and pharmacies. Even with a quick turnaround for vaccines, Covid-19 cases continued to spike throughout the next year, drastically affecting healthcare and essential workers. Healthcare workers were proven to be most at-risk due to the nature of their professions. However, essential workers still faced higher risk than those able to work from home or in socially distanced office spaces. Job responsibilities of flight attendants, restaurant and bar staff, bus drivers, etc., require close physical proximity and frequent contact with other people. This risk in addition to mass layoffs and closings led to uncertainty about the future of the hospitality industry.
Since the pandemic, we have experienced a spike in nationwide unemployment of up to 14.7% in April 2020 which has since decreased to 3.6% as of this June. While many industries have recovered since the height of the pandemic, it is not the case for hospitality/leisure. According to Brookings, the unemployment rate within the hospitality and leisure industry reached 39.3% during the pandemic. After being laid off, many people found work in other industries—and some without plans to return to hospitality/leisure. As of February this year, the Washington Post reported the industry was “still short 500,000 employees” from pre-pandemic levels.
In such a difficult time, some found ways to improve their situation. If anything, we know how to adapt, especially under immense pressure. Restaurants and bars expanded their outdoor seating options, making quick use of ideal outdoor furniture, lawn space, sidewalks, and sometimes even streets. Others focused efforts on food trucks and delivery services. Hotels revamped their policies for cleaning and sterilization, many offering more flexible policies for changes and cancelations. On top of this, several states are expecting minimum wage increases this year. Some areas within hospitality have already increased wages internally, as seen with some fast-food restaurants. While this can mean an increase in menu, ticket, and item prices, higher wages will attract more essential workers.
As obstacles continue to stack up—inflation, port delays, a decreased workforce—it feels bleak. However, history tells us we can pull through. Recessions come and go, economies recover, and unemployment rates decrease. Our circumstances have already improved since the height of the pandemic. While we cannot ignore the damage and losses from the Covid-19 pandemic and its lasting effects, there is potential for growth. It is imperative that we continue to support local and small businesses to ensure a stronger economy moving forward.