TMS: 2008 another lean year for Asian hospitality and tourism employers

SINGAPORE – Recruitment and executive search specialist TMS Asia-Pacific is predicting another lean year ahead for Asia’s hospitality and tourism sector employers.

The company’s Singapore-based MD – Asia, Andrew Chan, said the ongoing staffing crisis affecting the sector shows no sign of abating and demands on an already tight talent pool look set to intensify across the region in 2008.

He cited the region’s continued economic upswing and predicted growth in tourism arrivals as main factors for the demand, with major events like the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 World EXPO in Shanghai and the first night time Formula One Gand Prix in Singapore in September to heavily impact tourism arrivals and job creation in 2008 alone.

The anticipated boom has proven a catalyst for many foreign companies who are either entering the Asian market or boosting their existing presence in the region, putting even greater strain on the talent pool in an environment where employers already find it difficult to locate and retain qualified staff as employees leave to chase higher salaries and fast-track promotion.

“There is obviously a need for the industry to have a much closer look on how it can alleviate the situation. Salary plays a part in initially winning candidates over but it’s not all about the pay packet. Employers would do well to remember that their staff place just as much emphasis on personal development and training as part of their overall longer term career aspirations,” Chan said.

“Those employers who take time to invest in the right, carefully thought out approach to both recruitment and retaining their staff are the ones most likely to succeed in these tight times,” he added.