Leverage Tech to Prepare for Summer Surge
With the summer travel season upon us and the global stage set for the Olympics, the hospitality industry is gearing up for an influx of domestic travelers and international tourists. France expects some 15 million people to attend the 2024 Games in Paris, or 3 million more than the City of Lights typically attracts during that time frame. Hotels in the French capital were already 50% booked by February, according to data analyzing occupancy rates around July 26-Aug. 11 when Paris 2024 will take place. Plus, nearly 16 million Americans ventured abroad from January through March—a record high, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute, and a trend that shows little sign of slowing. Deloitte’s summer travel study finds more people are planning to travel in September after Labor Day this year. This percentage is up from 12% in 2022 to 17% in 2024, signaling a strong appetite to extend the traditional peak travel period. Travel budgets are up as much as 13% from last year, showing that consumers are willing to pay for a great experience.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency with Workforce Technology
With so much at stake, employee engagement and workforce management technology must be at the forefront of this preparation for the travel season, helping hotels and resorts ensure their frontline workers are ready to meet surging demand. By leveraging purpose-built communication and scheduling tools, hospitality businesses can enhance operational efficiency and provide exceptional service during this bustling period, protecting their revenue and fostering loyalty in the process.
Many hospitality groups see the value in using app-based workplace technology to enhance the employee experience by centralizing communication and increasing connectivity across departments. Given the vast size of many hospitality properties, which can operate like a mini city with dozens of unique departments, the ability to connect and engage across the property is crucial for cohesive operation and team unity.
Fostering Employee Engagement and Team Unity
These platforms foster greater cross-workforce connection, enabling instant sharing of updates, timely announcements, and critical safety alerts, ensuring that team members remain engaged and informed. Employees appreciate the ability to connect instantly with colleagues and support staff. This instant communication via a digital frontline workplace platform helps create a sense of togetherness, even across a large property.
Workplace apps can have a significant impact on morale and engagement. By allowing employees to share personal moments, like pet photos or special gestures for guests, the platform brings joy and motivates staff to go the extra mile. Some app users have highlighted long-time team members with “throwback” photos that bring laughter and nostalgia, and strengthen team bonds, too. Others have snapped and shared action shots of colleagues performing their jobs with flair or efficiency, inspiring others and celebrating the unique contributions of each team member. Happy employees often equals happy guests.
Showcasing Achievements and Enhancing Flexibility
Frontline workplace apps like these are crucial for showcasing departmental wins. They facilitate the sharing of departmental achievements and activities, fostering a culture of recognition and celebration. Employees can easily share milestones, such as work anniversaries, birthdays, and promotions, creating excitement and dialogue across teams that’s otherwise difficult to achieve. These apps also help amplify global wellness initiatives, leadership programs, and recognition events like team member appreciation week. This visibility increases participation and showcases how each department uniquely celebrates these programs.
One of the primary drivers for adopting digital frontline workplace technology is giving employees greater flexibility. Modernizing how team members interact with their schedules—giving them more choice and control—allows them to build their work around their lives, not the other way around. The platform provides easy access to schedules, links to benefits, and other critical information, enhancing engagement and fostering a family-like atmosphere. Employees can quickly share important property announcements, such as restaurant closures, ensuring seamless service to guests.
Staff who use digital workforce apps to sound the alarm on incoming weather help their colleagues prepare for and mitigate potential property-wide issues, improving safety and operational readiness. This is crucial when the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration expects a highly active hurricane season this year. Up to 25 named tropical storms will affect the U.S. from June 1-Nov. 30, according to the agency’s projections, which see an 85% chance of above-normal storm activity. Guests appreciate hospitality staff who make the extra efforts to allay the effects of inclement weather
Digital frontline workplace apps serve as a one-stop-shop for accessing essential work-related resources, such as schedules, and shift swaps. This comprehensive access simplifies employees' work lives, making it easier for them to manage all of their responsibilities.
As the hospitality industry braces for a busy summer, digital frontline workplace technology is proving to be an invaluable asset. By enhancing connectivity, flexibility, and engagement, these apps empower busy hotels and resorts to prepare their frontline workers for the flood of guests. This preparation is particularly crucial during high-demand events like the Olympics, ensuring that guests receive exceptional service and that operations run smoothly. With digital frontline workplace apps, the hospitality sector is well-equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the summer travel season.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As a dynamic professional with over twenty years of experience delivering robust digital workplace solutions for Fortune 500 companies, Will excels at developing customer relationships and brings to WorkJam deep domain expertise in Strategic Workforce Management, Human Capital Management, and Employee Engagement. Prior to joining WorkJam, Will spent ten years at Kronos, where he served as Director of National Accounts and Director of Retail and Hospitality Sales in the U.S. His progressive approach and innovative thinking enabled his team to significantly exceed sales goals and drive organizational growth. As Chief Revenue Officer at WorkJam, Will is responsible for marketing, sales, forging partnerships, and cultivating customer relationships, ensuring that his customers meet and exceed their operational goals.