The hospitality industry faces a staffing crisis. According to a December 2024 survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Hireology, nearly 65% of hotels reported ongoing staffing shortagesThe. 71% unable to fill open positions despite active recruitment efforts.
These challenges may be real, but they are not insurmountable. Reimagining hotel operations with smarter and more flexible technology is the key. A cloud-based Property Management System is at the heart of this transformation, enabling lean teams with greater agility, precision and efficiency.
Reduced Turnover, Lowering of Training Costs and Enhancing Job Satisfaction
In the hospitality industry, high employee turnover has serious financial implications. A study conducted by Cornell University’s School of Hospitality Management found that the highest employee turnover rates are among the lowest in the hospitality industry. average cost of replacing a lower-level hotel employee is approximately $5,864 per workerThe cost of replacing a higher-level employee can reach $9,932. This includes expenses for recruitment, onboarding and training as well as productivity losses during the transition.
This issue can be addressed by implementing a flexible PMS in the cloud. A modern cloud-based PMS can reduce stress and simplify daily tasks. It does this by streamlining and digitizing various aspects of operations, such as front desk tasks, housekeeping and maintenance. Cloud-based systems offer greater mobility than traditional systems, which bind staff to terminals. Employees can manage tasks anywhere, using any device.
Flexibility allows staff to be more responsive to guests’ needs, to collaborate better, and to manage their workloads independently. These improvements can increase employee satisfaction and reduce the risk of burnout.
The intuitive interfaces on modern cloud-based PMS platforms allow for faster onboarding and training, which allows new hires become more proficient in their role. These systems were designed with the user experience in the forefront. They often mimic the familiar workflows and features of mobile apps. This significantly reduces learning curves, even for employees without technical experience. Instead of spending hours in rigid classroom training, employees can learn by doing, with the help of in-system assistance, contextual support, and role-based modules.
Automating Human Time
Cloud-based PMSs can be more than a digital notebook. They are powerful tools for automation. Routine tasks, such as sending confirmation emails, updating room statuses, completing check-in/checkout procedures, and collecting payments, can be automated. Your team can then focus on the most important tasks, such as those that directly impact guests. As an example:
- Cleaning tasks Can auto-adjust for early arrivals or late checkouts.
- Automatic Room Assignment You can assign rooms instantly based on availability and preferences.
- Bulk Check In Front desk staff are able to check-in multiple guests simultaneously, allowing them to streamline group arrivals.
- Automated Room Status Updates Synchronize room readiness between housekeeping staff and front desk in real-time, to reduce delays and miscommunication.
- Auto-Charge Deposits Ensure that prepayments are made consistently when booking or checking in.
- Automated Tax Code updates By applying the correct local tax rate, state or VAT rate based upon reservation details, you can eliminate errors and compliance risk.
- Reporting You can generate reports in real-time and email them to all department heads each day.
The time saved by automating each task is compounded across the property.
Self-Service Enhances Staff Efficiency
Hotel staff can be extended by empowering guests to manage their own experiences. Cloud-based PMSs enable mobile and kiosk-based checks-in and-outs, digital registration cards and mobile key access without heavy IT overhead. These options allow guests to arrive and depart more quickly and with greater flexibility, which reduces wait times and congestion at the front desk. This means that staff can focus more on the high-value service and less time is spent on manual tasks. The result is improved operational flow, happier staff, and increased guest satisfaction, which translates to better reviews and brand loyalty.
The Human Touch and Technology
The human touch is still important in hospitality. Technology can empower lean teams but it cannot replace the heart. Cloud-based PMSs are not about cutting corners. They’re about giving hotel staff the tools they need for success. It allows teams to focus more on what matters, namely delivering personalized, genuine service.
In an industry with a shortage of labor, technology has to do more than just support. It must transform. Cloud-based PMSs help hotels run more efficiently, improve the guest experience and create a workplace that empowers staff to feel valued and empowered.
Stayntouch
Stayntouch offers a Best-in Class cloud property management system with over 1,200 integrations. Our cloud-native property management system (PMS) empowers hotels with the tools to boost revenue, cut costs, improve customer service and engage their guests. Stayntouch’s expanded PMS, Stayntouch, simplifies operations for hotels. It allows them to accelerate direct bookings, accept payments quickly, and streamline integrations. Stayntouch is supported by a team of professionals with deep roots in the hospitality industry and is a trusted partner to industry-leading management companies including Sage Hospitality, HEI Hotels & Resorts, EOS Hospitality, and Stoney Creek Hotels, innovative independent brands such as Village Hotels, Pod Hotels, and First Hotels, and iconic independent properties such as the TWA Hotel and Zoku Amsterdam. Visit www.stayntouch.com for more information. www.stayntouch.com.
Elliott Mest
MFC PR
Stayntouch
