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Workforce Shortages

As global travel surges, our sector faces a critical workforce shortage, with hundreds of thousands of vacancies. To meet demand, we advocate for policies that will increase access to both domestic and international workers.

The Issue

Navigating the Workforce Shortage

Since COVID, tourism businesses welcomed back 1.1 million workers by offering higher wages, increased flexibility and enhanced benefits. But increased demand means the sector is still short hundreds of thousands of workers. The solution to a labour shortage of this scale must include both domestic and international workers. The Government and the industry both have an important role to play.

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The Solution

Hotel Workforce Growth Strategy

Growing our sector’s workforce is our top priority. Our Hotel Workforce Growth Strategy shares key research, resources, and fosters industry-wide collaboration. Through this strategy, we present best practices, advocate for policy changes, and mobilize collective action. Our focus areas include attracting domestic and international workers, delivering employer support, and driving industry-wide change.

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Be a champion for Canada’s hotel industry and use your voice to influence policies that impact you. Join Now

The Government and industry both have an important role to play

Domestic Workforce

Attracting workers: The workforce has evolved post-pandemic and so too has the hotel industry. Hoteliers have made significant efforts to attract and retain workers domestically. More than 86% of employers have increased pay, enhanced benefits, and adopted new, flexible ways of working. Many have also added more training, mental health and even housing supports for staff. Outreach to underrepresented groups has also been an area of growth for the industry.

Through the Hotel Workforce Strategy, HAC continues to provide cutting edge research, thought leadership, and opportunities for collective action for the industry.

International Workforce

Our workforce challenges need a multi-faceted approach that addresses both domestic and international considerations. However, current immigration policies pose significant barriers to accessing international workers. Despite significant progress in growing the domestic workforce there are simply not enough Canadians to fill all vacancies in our sector.


Canada’s immigration system must be aligned with the year-round and seasonal needs of the hotel industry, ensuring smoother processes for accessing international talent.

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Resources

Breaking down complex issues and key data into industry resources you can use to support workforce, housing and other hospitality needs.

HAC Issue Brief – Workforce Shortage

Global travel is strong, but Canadian hotels lack the workforce needed to seize this opportunity.

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HAC Member Participation Toolkit

The #HotelWorkLife campaign is a nationwide initiative showcasing the incredible stories of hotel employees across Canada. This campaign is designed to celebrate the variety of careers within our industry and to inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals. We invite your team to participate and help amplify these stories across social media and beyond.

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2025 HAC Pre-Budget Submission

With its peaceful reputation, beautiful scenery, and welcoming people, Canada can become a top-rated destination globally. However, there are significant barriers to unlock Canada’s potential including: critical workforce and housing shortages, a lack of investment, and diminishing international competitiveness.

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HAC 2024 Budget Recommendations

With its peaceful reputation, beautiful scenery, and welcoming people, Canada can become a top-rated destination globally. However, there are significant barriers to unlock Canada’s potential including: critical workforce and housing shortages, a lack of investment, and diminishing international competitiveness.

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HAC Workforce Growth Strategy: Talent Lifecycle

Check out this infographic for 12 ways to invest in employee development at your hotel.

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HAC Workforce Growth Strategy: The New Workforce Reality

More than half of Canada’s workforce are Millennials or Gen Z. Learn what’s important to them.

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HAC Workforce Growth Strategy: Talent Lifecycle Phases

This infographic illustrates the and explains the five phases of the talent lifecycle.

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HAC Workforce Growth Strategy: Quick Start Guide

Check out HAC Workforce Growth Strategy Quick Start Guide for 12 easy and inexpensive tips to attract and keep hotel talent.

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Hotel Association of Canada Hotel Workforce Action Plan

The Hotel Association of Canada Hotel Workforce Action Plan provides an overview of the key pressures faced by the sector as well as recommendations to address the industry’s workforce challenges at every phase of the talent lifecycle (Attraction, Recruitment, Retention, Development, & Separation).

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View Resources

Become A HAC Member

Join Canada’s network of hoteliers. Access exclusive content, research and events to grow your business.

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