Now Hiring! This Industry Is Set To Create About 200,000 Jobs In Next 12-18 Months

Despite ongoing efforts, challenges persist as attrition rates soar, particularly among small and mid-tier hotels, where turnover rates can reach as high as 30-50 per cent per month

The hospitality industry, which was forced to implement widespread job cuts amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now actively replenishing the job market, seeking to recruit thousands of employees. This resurgence in hiring activity is driven by its ambitious expansion strategies and the need to address vacancies resulting from significant attrition rates within its workforce.

A report by staffing services firm TeamLease Services suggests that approximately 200,000 jobs are expected to emerge within the hotel, restaurant, and tourism sectors over the next 12-18 months. Balasubramanian A, Vice President and Head of Consumer, Hospitality, and E-commerce at TeamLease, noted that nearly half of these job opportunities will be within the hotel industry.

Hotels across various segments are expanding their workforce to accommodate more rooms and expanding into new markets, driven by a robust increase in business and leisure travel. Balasubramanian noted that the roles being filled encompass a blend of permanent, temporary, and gig positions.

Despite ongoing efforts, challenges persist as attrition rates soar, particularly among small and mid-tier hotels, where turnover rates can reach as high as 30-50 per cent per month. This trend has compelled a notable increase in replacement hiring, with companies such as Royal Orchid Hotels facing substantial turnover and endeavouring to fill numerous positions across different hierarchical levels.

The hospitality sector is proactively adapting to capitalise on changing market trends. For instance, Royal Orchid Hotels is preparing to unveil three new brands, extending its reach with a strategic emphasis on western India. Likewise, Fortune Hotels and Lemon Tree are actively expanding their room inventory and intensifying recruitment initiatives to meet escalating demand.

As forecasts signal an uptick in both domestic and international tourist arrivals, the hotel industry stands on the brink of significant expansion. Fortune Hotels foresees an 8-10 per cent uptick in hiring, driven by ambitious growth strategies, while Lemon Tree aims to onboard thousands of employees across various roles to support its fiscal year objectives, as per the report.