Hospitality is known for being one of the toughest industries out there. From technology to economics, there are always new issues and challenges to be aware of.
We've assembled five of the most pressing current issues the hospitality industry faces, and how your business can remain competitive in spite of them.
Hospitality staff shortages are having a serious impact in Australia and New Zealand. A major cause of staff shortages in hospitality is poor working conditions employees experience.
A December 2023 survey into the mental health and wellbeing of chefs in Australia and New Zealand found that:
These concerns have caused many hospitality professionals to leave or want to leave their positions.
Issues of staff shortages were also exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In many cases, non-citizens were compelled to leave Australia and New Zealand. Many hospitality workers also left the industry at this time due to increasingly unstable working conditions.
While there are signs that the worst of hospitality staff shortages are in the past, owners and managers should still be prepared to deal with this issue. Methods for managing staff shortages include:
Inflation has been very impactful in Australia and New Zealand in recent years. It's no surprise to see the ways it has affected the hospitality industry.
In our 2023 hospitality inflation guide, we tracked the many ways inflation was impacting customers and restaurants around Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, fine dining restaurants were hit especially hard, with a 28% decline in bookings at fine dining restaurants between January 2022 and March 2023.
In New Zealand, the cancellation percentage for fine dining restaurants increased by 33% between March and December 2022.
Our 2024 Australian hospitality statistics guide showed that the situation had improved in some areas and an overall upward trajectory in hospitality revenues. However, there was still plenty for restaurant owners and managers to be concerned about.
Specifically, one survey stated that 4 out of 10 consumers were actively making adjustments to reduce the number of lunches and coffees they were having away from home.
Restaurants can tackle this challenge with more cost-efficient options. Consider implementing a loss leader like a kid's menu to create greater perceived value for your customers. This will help to convince them that a meal at your venue is worth the cost.
Online delivery was an increasingly prominent part of the hospitality industry in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world grappled with quarantine and lockdowns, it took on an especially important role.
Now, customers expect to find their favourite restaurants on convenient delivery apps. 7 million Australians use a meal delivery service in an average three months. If your hospitality business isn't taking advantage of this opportunity, it could have seriously negative effects on your venue.
Some methods to achieve success with online delivery include:
Hospitality businesses must contend with consumer attention on environmental issues..Research has found that customers are concerned with issues including land degradation, over-consumption of natural resources and greenhouse gases. These concerns play a role in their purchasing decisions at hospitality venues.
The good news for restaurants is that 78% of customers are willing to pay more for meals in a green restaurant. It's well worth making the green switch in your venue.
Here are a few ways you can make to implement sustainable practices in your venue:
There are many more consumer preferences that hospitality managers need to be aware of. As the world changes in many ways, restaurants must be aware of these expectations and prepare accordingly.
Some of the major areas of evolving customer expectations are:
While the many challenges facing the hospitality sector may seem daunting, there are several actionable steps you can take to put your business in the best position to respond to them:
The ResDiary table management system is the perfect way to tackle pressing issues in hospitality. Comprehensive reservation management makes it easy to manage your staff while having a strong understanding of foot traffic night after night.
It will streamline your operations while deepening your understanding of costs and income in your business. You can even use ResDiary to implement an online ordering system in your venue.
ResDiary also boasts a range of integrations to bolster your business. Get the help you need with everything from EPOS systems to marketing solutions.