Recruitment and retention challenges in the tourism-and-hospitality sector have eased significantly since the peak difficulties of 2022, according to the Tourism Careers Research 2024 Update report from Fáilte Ireland.
The research will be presented to business leaders from across the tourism industry this week, in Clontarf Castle Hotel, as part of Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Exchange event.
“We can see the dial is positively shifting in how careers in the sector are perceived since the pandemic,” said Jenny De Saulles, director of sector development at Fáilte Ireland.
“However, we must keep building on this momentum. In a competitive labour market, it’s clear that there’s no room to ease up – businesses need to keep innovating, listening to their employees, and striving to make tourism a sector of choice for long-term, meaningful careers.”
The Fáilte Ireland report notes that 64% of those currently employed in tourism and hospitality are looking to stay within the sector, but employers must stay competitive to retain talent, including by offering career growth, skills development, and flexible work options.
The research indicates that passion, career progression opportunities, flexibility, and the accessibility of the sector continue to be major draws for employees in tourism. Improved perceptions of pay are also contributing to positive sentiments, with 60% of employees now reporting better compensation.
However, while employers report positive changes in work conditions, a significant gap remains between what businesses claim that they offer and employees’ perceptions. This could suggest a lag between when a business makes a change and when employees recognise it. Fáilte Ireland believes that effective internal communication of improvements remains essential to shifting perceptions and enhancing workplace morale.
“It’s encouraging to see the progress our sector has made in creating appealing workplaces and narrowing the gap in recruitment and retention since 2022,” said De Saulles.
“Tourism is a sector that offers fulfilling and rewarding professions, and where employees feel passionate about their work.”
