The scope of the workforce problem in the sector that is already in an extremely delicate situation following more than a year of closures and seriously curtailed trade has been highlighted via a new report by the industry organization UKHospitality.
His analysis is based on a survey conducted by hundreds of operators.
There is a particularly acute lack of front-of-house employees and chefs with 80 percent reporting openings, such as waiting and bar personnel, and 85 percent require leadership.
Some 47% have household openings, while 43% hunt for supervisors or assistants.
The poll shows that there is a current vacancy of 9% in the field, meaning 188,000 people are lacking.
The hotel industry must restore trust to re-establish it as a reliable job and job source.
"To make this easier, the roadmap to be reopened has to be lifted from 21st June by removing all constraints.
"This will restore customer trust and offer workers a clear signal of significant growth in hospitality.
"Apart from it, the government's single largest support act would be to encourage more UK employees to enter the hospitality sector.
"Examining the list of shortage vocations and considering implementing a visa process in Australia will also allow the employees we need to work here, who don't comply with the point-based system."
The poll found that travel limitations were a significant motivation for foreign employees, many of whom went home at the start of the epidemic.
Almost a quarter stated they were prevented by the cost of quarantine upon return.
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