Posted on Jun 13, 2022
Bend’s booming tourism industry hits labor shortage snag
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Summers have rarely been busier for Brian Sykes, who co-owns Ouzel Outfitters, a whitewater rafting company in Bend.
He has plenty of customers, but not enough guides to lead them.
The problem started last summer, as COVID-19 restrictions eased, spurring interest in outdoor tourism. Sykes found it difficult to find qualified guides for his trips, especially those with the experience to lead more advanced routes.
“We weren’t geared up necessarily to handle the amount of business,” Sykes said. “We dealt with that simply by limiting what we were able to offer.”
Sykes said some of his trips are sold out for the rest of June and July, and he’s not able to accommodate as many customers as in years past.
Outdoor outfitters, hotels and restaurants across Bend are struggling to find and retain employees in a region heavily reliant on tourism to fund its local economy. This means a reduction in services and potentially longer wait times for consumers.
For workers, the industry’s labor crunch has led to higher wages, signing bonuses and other perks to lure employees to a sector that typically ranks among the lowest paying in the nation.
He has plenty of customers, but not enough guides to lead them.
The problem started last summer, as COVID-19 restrictions eased, spurring interest in outdoor tourism. Sykes found it difficult to find qualified guides for his trips, especially those with the experience to lead more advanced routes.
“We weren’t geared up necessarily to handle the amount of business,” Sykes said. “We dealt with that simply by limiting what we were able to offer.”
Sykes said some of his trips are sold out for the rest of June and July, and he’s not able to accommodate as many customers as in years past.
Outdoor outfitters, hotels and restaurants across Bend are struggling to find and retain employees in a region heavily reliant on tourism to fund its local economy. This means a reduction in services and potentially longer wait times for consumers.
For workers, the industry’s labor crunch has led to higher wages, signing bonuses and other perks to lure employees to a sector that typically ranks among the lowest paying in the nation.
Bend’s booming tourism industry hits labor shortage snag
Posted from opb.org
Bend
Travel
Leisure and Travel
Jobs
Employment
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Visit Bend CEO Kevney Dugan said private companies in the industry have historically done little to lure prospective employees.
“I think this industry has done a lackluster job recruiting people to see this industry as a desirable place to learn service skills,” Dugan said.
“This is not a short-term situation — we have to be thinking long-term about what, in five to 10 years, our labor pool looks like.”
Dugan said he does not expect immediate relief this summer, but hopes that eventually, businesses will reap the benefits of a larger labor force.
In the meantime, he encouraged visitors to be patient and considerate toward employees, who are being asked to cover more responsibilities with less support.
“I can’t say ‘patience’ enough,” Dugan said. “Be ready to bring your best self in.”
..."Visit Bend CEO Kevney Dugan said private companies in the industry have historically done little to lure prospective employees.
“I think this industry has done a lackluster job recruiting people to see this industry as a desirable place to learn service skills,” Dugan said.
“This is not a short-term situation — we have to be thinking long-term about what, in five to 10 years, our labor pool looks like.”
Dugan said he does not expect immediate relief this summer, but hopes that eventually, businesses will reap the benefits of a larger labor force.
In the meantime, he encouraged visitors to be patient and considerate toward employees, who are being asked to cover more responsibilities with less support.
“I can’t say ‘patience’ enough,” Dugan said. “Be ready to bring your best self in.”
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