The tourism and hospitality industry is preparing for a completely normal summer without a pandemic. The industry is now crying out for staff to meet demand.
”Quite a few people feel that there is a shortage of certain specialized skills,” says Parks and Resorts CEO Christer Fogelmarck.
Although the spread of omicron is currently still high in Sweden, the need for restrictions is expected to decrease in the future as this variant is considered to be milder. The announcement from the government and Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S) was recently that several of the restrictions may be lifted from February 9.
This has led several industries to look to the future with optimism.
Not least, the tone is positive from Parks and Resorts, which operates the amusement parks Gröna Lund, Kolmården, Furuvik and Skara Sommarland. Then in mid-January, the company, owned by siblings Johan and Helena Tidstrand through JHT Intressenter AB, announced that they need to recruit 3,400 people for their four parks.
”"That's a little more than we recruited in 2019. It will be a total return," says Christer Fogelmarck.
Even last year, with the new pandemic law, there were positive tones from the company, which in 2020 was forced to raise SEK 400 million in external capital from AMF pension in order to survive.
”"But now the situation is different as we are faced with reports that omicron may be the last thing to happen. It is a different situation that makes us dare to invest now.".
One problem, however, is finding what they are looking for, namely personnel.
”"Many of those who worked in the hospitality industry before the pandemic have retrained and found other jobs. Quite a few people feel that there is a shortage of certain specialized skills, especially in restaurants," says Christer Fogelmarck.
Even within the travel industry, which has also had a tough time during the pandemic, there is an increase in demand. Tui, which is a leader in the Nordic travel market and listed on the Berlin Stock Exchange where its shares have risen by over 10 percent this year, for example, has 20 percent more bookings in Sweden ahead of the summer season compared to the same time last year. However, for trips in May and June, there have been 100 percent more bookings than last year among Swedish customers.
”"However, you should keep in mind that bookings are going much slower in Sweden than in most other countries where we operate, where summer sales are going fantastically well. We believe that the same ketchup effect will come here quite soon. We expect this to be the best summer since 2019," says Adam Györki, communications manager at Tui.
How have you taken this into account?
”"Among other things, we have developed a wider range of destinations, which has to do with us allocating more airline seats and hotel beds. We believe this will be a fantastic summer. These are the indications we have received from other markets that have come a little further in the pandemic. Sweden is a little behind right now."”
Tui also has strong recruitment needs. Right now, the company needs 7,000 new positions in the group globally, of which 37 are positioned in Sweden.
”"We are working hard to fill up. Partly tour guides, but also staff who will strengthen our customer service," says Adam Györki.”
When it comes to the domestic hotel market, the situation already looks better than at the same time last year, according to the industry organization Visita. For example, 57 percent more nights were booked in June than in the same month last year, compared to the national average.
Elite Hotels, which had a strong summer last year with an average occupancy of 80 percent (higher than 2019), looks bright for the future.
”"We expect another very good summer once the pandemic subsides. We also believe in increased international travel, which will benefit the big cities," says Elite Hotels CEO David Halldén.
The chain operates a total of 40 hotels around Sweden and currently has around 2,000 employees. To cope with the pressure this summer, Elite Hotels is currently recruiting close to 300 permanent employees.
”"In addition, several seasonal employees will also be needed. To cope with this, we are carrying out a number of training initiatives where we bring in less experienced employees and train them on site," says David Halldén.
Do you find it difficult to recruit staff?
”That's our experience, and I think that applies to the entire industry.”.
Petter Stordalen's hotel chain Nordic Choice is also optimistic about the summer.
”"We expect this to be the absolute best summer we have ever had in this company, and that will also apply to our competitors. It is based on the fact that there is a pent-up need to travel and there was a lot of pressure this summer," says the company's communications manager Kenneth Hultgren.
Before the pandemic, the chain had 7,000 employees in Sweden. That number has since shrunk to 5,000. Now the plan is to return to 7,000 again during the year.
Source: di.se
