|
|  |
|
|
Top Ten Issues to Impact Hospitality Businesses in 2003
A recent brainstorming session among the members of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) resulted in a list of the top ten issues they expect will influence global hospitality in 2003. These issues include:
1. Adapting to New Business Realities – Survival in a Down Cycle
2. Distribution Channel Issues and Rampant Discounting
3. The Continuing Demand Crisis and Rebuilding Travel
4. Changing Technology Paradigm
5. Airlines – The Big Upstream Problem – If your guests can’t or don’t want to get there, they can’t be your guests!
6. Human Resource Issues – Finding, Motivating, and Retaining Employees
7. Development of Better Key Indicators and Analysis Tools
8. Global Explosion of Branding
9. Real Estate Issues
10. Breaking Down the Barriers to Travel
The full article may be viewed at www.hotelinteractive.com/news/articleView.asp?articleID=1658.
The staff of Michigan Tourism Business would like draw your attention to item number six on the list: “Human Resources Issues.” Following is what the ISHC consultants had to say about this issue:
“Hospitality business leaders have long recognized the difficulty of attracting and retaining quality employees as a continuous threat to the health of the industry. The current bad situation is worsening. Labor costs are increasing as hotels compete with retailing and fast food for the unskilled and semi-skilled workers. All workers are demanding greater benefits. Labor unions appear to be regaining strength, and the tightening of immigration standards in the wake of 9/11 will place an increased burden on the industry. Highly skilled and trained workers have better earning capability in other industries. Productivity is declining, as employees demand more favorable hours and the hotel business modernizes its wage and hour policies. The spirit of hospitality is deteriorating and guest service is being compromised by turnover, lack of training, corporate earnings requirements and staff reductions.”
We’d like to remind you that FREE* online training is available for you and your employees at the Michigan Tourism Virtual Training Academy web site www.tourismcenter.msu.edu/MTVTA. The Michigan tourism industry customized course currently featured there is, “Overcoming Challenging Service Situations in Tourism.” Four other courses are under development.
The following FREE* on-line courses have also been featured in past issues of Michigan Tourism Business. These courses are still available for your use. We hope this training helps to prepare you and your staff so your organization can provide the best possible service to your customers!
Hiring and Retaining Service Professionals
Call Center Customer Service
The Voice of the Customer
Dynamics of Leadership
Communication Etiquette
Basic Business Skills to Get You on the Fast Track
*Licensed and prepaid by the Michigan Virtual University, a unit of the Michigan Department of Career Development.
|
|
|
