Dive Brief:
- Historic level shortages in summer help are impacting much of Minnesota's tourist sector, reports the Star Tribune. Resorts are particularly doing everything to attract help this summer, but are struggling to fill jobs. People who travel to MN, mostly for leisure, have increased 10.8% since 2013, accounting for 71.2 million visitors this year.
- In many areas, the working population has dropped as much as 4% over last year, due to rapid declines in Baby Boomer employees who are retired. This combined with a lack of interest in seasonal work and tourism businesses expanding operations for longer periods of time are the major contributing factors. On top of this, new H-2B visa requirements are making it difficult for resorts to bring in help from international workers.
- For employers in the most hard hit areas of MN, such as Cook County where 80% of the state's tourism base resides, many have had to turn to creative means to bring in summer help.
Dive Insight:
Minnesota is one of several states that has trouble attracting younger generations of workers, but it's also a strong example of the struggles captivating most of the hospitality market right now. Resorts and associated businesses are struggling here as well as in other areas of the nation partly due to international workers being denied visas and continual confusion over visa reform taking place under the Trump administration.
But more generally, problems can largely be pinned on retention issues, and a variety of technology and techniques have emerged to help such employers keep talent around. Many of them rely on accessibility and listening to what employees are looking for out of a position, be it health benefits, education assistance or the like.
Hospitality is facing a considerably difficult crisis, as the jobs may be considered more difficult for the same amount of pay for a different hourly job. In that case, a strong benefits program could make all the difference.
