How to Deal with Challenges in the Hotel Industry?
Travel and hospitality are a lucrative industry. Over the years, it has witnessed a tremendous rise in business. But despite these gains, the inevitable challenges make running hotel businesses a bit challenging. The challenges in hotel industry test its resilience and readiness to adapt to the changing times.
Guests encounter potentially disrupted experiences that contradict the promises hospitality brands make. Being a hotelier can be rewarding and exhausting. The challenges in the hotel industry can present themselves in numerous forms.
Listed are the common challenges and the strategies to deal with them effectively.
Hiring and Retaining Skilled Employees
Recruiting skilled employees and then retaining them has always plagued the hospitality industry. Every hotel requires quality employees on all fronts. The lack of quality hospitality management courses is also the main reason behind this issue. Training the new workforce based on current trends is the only way to address this challenge. Moreover, recruiting graduates of hospitality sciences can be an effective way to bridge the skill gap.
Massive Change in the Marketing Trends
Marketing is one of the most common challenges in hospitality industry. The traditional marketing methods won’t serve you any good. To stay relevant among your guests, you should be aware of the latest digital marketing strategies. You can now get your marketing strategy right with social media and other online platforms. However, it is important to be consistent and patient with whatever tactics you apply.
Operational Challenges
There are countless operational challenges facing the hotel industry. From maintaining cleanliness to attending to guests, these operational challenges can adversely impact your business. The only way to address this issue is by automating your hotel operations. In this manner, you will have a centralized view of all the important activities.
As a hotelier, you can also recruit graduates in hospitality studies. The APEEJAY Institute of Hospitality offers a three-year hotel management program. It provides students with a comprehensive understanding of travel, tourism, and hospitality management. This course focuses greatly on equipping students with the skills to become fluent in hotel operations.
Difficulty in Keeping Pace with Technology
Technology is influencing every industry and the hospitality sector is not an exception. From third-party applications to chatbots, hotels should keep pace with these massive technological developments. Besides investing in Property Management Systems, you should develop your own website and apps. These tools also allow you to provide positive guest experiences.
Adapting to the Changing Needs of the Travellers
The expectations and priorities of modern-day travellers have rapidly changed nowadays. While selecting a hotel, even an average traveller is concerned about hygiene. There are several measures hoteliers can take to address this common problem in hospitality industry.
For instance, you can highlight safety protocols and sanitisation protocols to reassure guests. It is also essential to partner with medical centres to provide on-call doctors for guests.
By pre-emptively tackling these challenges, hoteliers can future-proof their property for long-term success. One effective way to address the current challenges is by recruiting skilled graduates in hospitality sciences. It covers several aspects of the hotel industry in India and equips students with essential skills. Being a three-year course, students get hands-on training to fine-tune their skills.