The high summer season is one of the most challenging periods for the hotel industry. As the hotels prepare to receive numerous guests, the staff faces a significant increase in the workload. This increase in activity can generate stress and fatigue, affecting not only operational efficiency but also the general well-being of the team.
Preparation and well-being: essential for a successful summer in your hotel
We will explore essential strategies to prepare hotel staff for these challenges, ensuring that they maintain good mental and physical health and that team morale remains high.
Strategies to Manage the Increase in Work
High season brings with it a significant increase in workload that can be overwhelming if not managed properly. The impact of not managing this increase efficiently can be severe, resulting in high staff turnover, low productivity, inconsistency in service and widespread discomfort within the team. Here we offer you some keys to maintain balance and operational efficiency:
- Advance Planning: Preparation is essential to handle the increase in work. A detailed plan that includes work schedules, assignment of tasks and clear procedures for handling peaks of activity is essential. Careful planning not only prevents chaos, but also ensures that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, reducing the possibility of errors and increasing operational efficiency.
- Temporary Reinforcements: Consider hiring temporary or seasonal staff to ease the workload. This allows the core team to focus on critical tasks without feeling overwhelmed. Without this reinforcement, employees can feel overloaded, which leads to increased stress, decreased service quality and potentially high staff turnover. Make sure the reinforcements receive adequate training to integrate quickly and be effective from day one.
- Effective Delegation: Do you feel overwhelmed or do you feel that your team is running on water? Trust them, delegate effectively, and assign responsibilities according to their strengths. Adequate delegation eases the burden on leaders, empowers employees and fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, which is crucial to maintaining high morale and consistent service.
- Use of Technology: Implement technological tools that optimize task management and communication. Property management systems (PMS), internal messaging applications and automated booking systems can significantly reduce manual workload and improve efficiency. Without these tools, processes can become slow and error-prone, contributing to lower productivity and an inconsistent guest experience.
Maintain Mental and Physical Health
The well-being of the hotel staff is fundamental to maintaining a high-quality service. During the high season, it is crucial to implement measures that promote both the mental and physical health of employees:
- Regular Breaks: Make sure staff have adequate breaks during their shifts. Regular breaks are vital to recharge energy and prevent exhaustion. Encourage employees to take a moment to relax, stretch or enjoy a healthy snack.
- Promotion of Physical Activity: Provides opportunities for staff to remain physically active. This can include access to a gym, organizing yoga classes or simply encouraging outdoor walks during breaks. Physical activity not only improves physical health, but is also a great stress reliever.
- Mental Health Support: Offers resources and support for mental health. This may include access to wellness services, mindfulness sessions or support programs. Fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable talking about their mental well-being is crucial. At hostinn we are preparing several resources to support you and your hotel team in improving mental health! Contact us to find out more.
- Nutrition and Rest: Provides healthy food options and access to drinking water at all times. Also, respect the rest times and make sure that the shifts are not excessively long. Adequate rest is essential for recovery and sustained performance.
Improve Team Morale
Maintaining high morale among the staff is vital for the cohesion of the team and the quality of the service. Here are some ideas to keep your team motivated and in good spirits during the high season:
- Recognition and Reward: Make sure to recognize and celebrate team achievements, both group and individual. This can be through public and private praise, and rewards through emotional pay. Regular recognition contributes to a sense of worth and motivation.
- Fostering Open Communication: Create an environment where open and honest communication is the norm. Listen to the concerns of your hotel team, allow them to share ideas and keep everyone informed about important plans and decisions. Transparency fosters trust and a sense of belonging.
- Positive Work Environment: It is essential to create a positive work environment. This can be achieved through small gestures such as keeping the common areas clean and well equipped, making sure that everyone feels valued and promoting a culture of respect and collaboration.
The Importance of Continuing Training
Continuous training is essential so that hotel staff can face the challenges of the peak season with confidence and competence. Keeping your team trained improves efficiency and quality of service, contributing to staff well-being and satisfaction.
- Updating Skills: Continuous training allows employees to acquire new skills and improve existing ones. This is particularly important during peak season, when demand for high-quality services is highest. Well-trained employees are better able to handle difficult situations and meet customer expectations.
- Stress reduction: Knowing that they have the skills necessary to cope with their work can significantly reduce stress among employees. Training gives employees confidence that they are prepared to handle any situation that may arise during busy periods.
- Professional Development Opportunities: Offering ongoing training opportunities shows that you care about the professional development of your team. This not only improves employee retention, but also fosters an environment of learning and growth. Employees who feel like they are advancing in their careers tend to be more engaged and motivated.
- Adaptation to New Technologies and Procedures: In the dynamic hospitality environment, new technologies and operating procedures are constantly introduced. Continuous training ensures your staff are up to date with the latest innovations and best practices, allowing your hotel to operate more efficiently and effectively.
- Focus on Operational Excellence: Training in key areas such as hotel management, operational excellence and sector-specific professional skills can transform the way your team operates. At Hosstinn, we offer training programs designed to cover these crucial aspects, helping your team to be better prepared for the busy season.
At hosstinn, we understand the importance of continuous training and offer a wide range of programs designed to improve the skills of your team. Our courses cover essential areas such as hospitality management, operational excellence, leadership, wellbeing, sustainability and professional skills. By investing in ongoing training, you prepare your team for the busy season while fostering a more positive and productive work environment in the long term.
Preparing well is the key to turning the busy season into an opportunity for success.
The summer peak season can be a formidable challenge for hotels, but with the right preparation and a focus on staff wellbeing, you can turn this period into an opportunity to shine. Implement effective strategies to manage increased workload, promote mental and physical health, and improve team morale.
Explore hosstinn’s continuing education programs to equip your team with the skills and knowledge needed to meet any challenge.
Get ready for a busy season: successful and full of satisfaction for both your guests and your team!
Start now with one of our experts to discover how our training programs can help you prepare your team for the peak summer season.