What The Future Holds for Housekeeping – And How Hoteliers Can Prepare For It

by Varadharajan Athmanathan | Mar 9, 2021

In this blog
Women in tourism: current impact and outlook
Closing the gender gap – trends and opportunities
Addressing the challenges faced by women
Strategies for women empowerment in hospitality
Accelerate action for an empowered future

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by Tanya Girdhar John

Sri Lanka’s opening of its first hotel managed by an all-female team brought the attention of the world towards gender representation within hospitality workspaces. Amba Yaalu Kandalama, run by an all-female staff-from top management to maintenance-is a bold initiative given that women only comprise 10% of the country’s tourism workforce.

As we open the conversation about women in tourism and hospitality at large, there is no better time to focus on women’s impact within the sector than International Women’s Day.

Women in tourism: current impact and outlook

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Women currently make up 54% of the global tourism workforce

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In the hotel industry alone, women representation remains between 60-70%

So, where is the gender gap?

According to UN’s Global Report on Women in Tourism, majority of women in tourism work in the informal economy where they earn less and have less job security.

Female workers are underrepresented in leadership roles, currently holding less than 40% of the managerial positions within the sector.

Closing the gender gap–trends and opportunities

Hospitality hub

The hospitality remains a hub of opportunities for women, who often dominate roles in accommodation, food and beverage services, and customer relations.

Rise of female travellers

The increasing number of female travellers is reshaping the travel industry. This is creating opportunities for female-run businesses that can cater to female traveller needs and preferences, such as safety, wellness, and personalised experiences.

Sustainable tourism

A 2023 study states that destinations with greater gender equality tend to have more sustainable tourism practices, showing the positive correlation between women empowerment and responsible tourism.

Entrepreneurial spirit

Women are entering entrepreneurship with ventures like boutique hotels, tour operations, and travel agencies, often with a focus on community-based tourism.

Addressing the challenges faced by women

Despite their significant contributions, women in hospitality and tourism continue to face numerous challenges:

Due to the gender wage gap, women in the industry often earn less than their male counterparts for comparable work which reinforces systemic inequalities.
Long hours or inflexible schedules, make it challenging for women who juggles family responsibilities and, sometimes motherhood alongside their career.
Women are often limited to stereotyped roles (i.e: receptionist, server) perpetuating traditional gender roles and discouraging them in leadership positions.
Many women in the travel and hospitality industries are unaware of their rights, available resources, and opportunities for professional development.
The lack of mentorship and resources makes it harder for women to acquire the skills and networks needed to advance their careers.

Strategies for women empowerment in hospitality

To create a more gender-inclusive hospitality and tourism sector, it is essential to implement comprehensive diversity, inclusivity and equity strategies for better employee welfare.

1. Addressing stereotypes with policy and advocacy

Industry stakeholders can advocate for policies that promote gender equality and empower women in the workplace while supporting organisations that are working to advance women’s rights in the industry. Challenging gender stereotypes within operations and in marketing and advertising materials, establishing the correct DEI strategies and awareness, addressing gender disparities in wages, and hiring and promotion practices are essential in ensuring workspaces remain safe and healthy and will encourage more women to participate within the industry.

2. Technology utilisation

Technology bridges the opportunity gap for women in tourism, enhancing access to training and mentorship and providing online platforms for them to connect, share resources, and network. Technology tools like mobile apps can also be used to promote women-owned businesses. In addition, effective roster management systems, cloud services that enable remote working, or performance tracking that alleviate biases in promotions and other opportunities will create workplaces that foster employee equality and equity.

3. Education and mentorship

UN Tourism has partnered with UN Women and external partners worldwide to bring gender issues to the forefront of the tourism sector. Similar initiatives, not only at the international level but also at regional and local levels, provide opportunities for women to learn and access equal opportunities within the industry. Scholarships, leadership training, financial literacy, entrepreneurship opportunities and networking opportunities for aspiring professionals are also helpful.

4. Flexible work arrangements

While equality is crucial in the industry, so too is equity; understanding and addressing the needs unique to women. For instance, on-site childcare facilities or childcare subsidies can make it easier for women to return to work after having children. Oftentimes, social responsibilities for women differ from their male counterparts, demanding their attention for other activities such as feeding hours. In such instances, flexible work schedules and remote work options enable women to balance work and family life.

Find the right technology solutions to empowers your employees. Book a Demo Today

Accelerate action for an empowered future

Imagine an industry where people are equally represented at all levels—from entry-level positions to C-suite executives—and empowered to reach their full potential, with their unique skills and perspectives creating a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future. As International Women’s Day 2025 urges all to accelerate action for gender equality, industry stakeholders are called to accelerate their commitment to realising the vision of gender equality within the sector.

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Hotels have a lot on their plate right now, especially during these unprecedented times. And housekeeping is a critical component of their plate, instrumental to the overall success of the hotel. Post-COVID, housekeeping is beyond ensuring the dust bunnies aren’t fed or the dirty towels being replaced. Even before the virus, 78% of hotel guests believed cleanliness to be the most crucial factor affecting their choice of where to stay, with hotel cleaning protocols moving up to the #1 top-ranked category for travel post-COVID. As guests expect the highest standards of sanitation to feel at ease in a hotel and once again return to travel, operators worldwide need to work with their housekeeping teams to better prepare for the impacts of these new realities. How can hoteliers prepare for what the future holds for housekeeping? Read on for interesting insights.

Implement Structured Cleaning Processes.

Excellent housekeeping has always been an essential aspect of running a hotel. In fact, according to a survey commissioned by CLR and conducted by TNS even before COVID, 86% of hotel guests cited cleanliness as the top criteria they look for when reading online hotel or holiday rental reviews. The survey also revealed that eight out of ten guests would rather give up internet access for the duration of their stay than stay in a dirty hotel or rental. To earn guest confidence now, hotels will have to demonstrate that they provide a clean and safe environment and are following specific disinfecting protocols. As part of this new dynamic, the ability to develop and implement proven strategies to meet these new cleanliness standards will be critical to combat competition. Through the right hospitality solutions, hotels leverage an organised cleaning procedure with a tailor-made checklist to cover every nook and cranny of the property, from guest rooms and restrooms to cupboards and curtain drapes.

Provide Adequate Training and Prepare Housekeepers.

Once there is a structured plan to carry out the cleaning, the next step is to assemble the task force, the once almost invisible superheroes who now need to be very visible. The use of tech solutions worked wonders in hotels across the world even before the pandemic, but now this choice has turned into a necessity which, to a certain extent, has evolved how housekeeping works. Housekeeping managers should stay in touch with room attendants and use online platforms to begin retraining. “The housekeeping skill-set post-COVID has evolved, not in the typical hard skills of cleaning, but on the soft skills of caring and empathy.” Says Kate Gruell, the Global Rooms Operations Leader. “The housekeeper has to care about the health and safety of the guest and be trusted to follow all the cleaning protocols religiously, resisting the pressures from the front office to turn around rooms quickly.”

Leverage Automation and Smart Technology.

From mobile apps to robotics, kiosks, and concierge services, technology is not only assisting hoteliers in providing guests with a contactless journey but is also helping housekeepers stay safe and productive. Whether it’s mopping rooms or wiping elevator buttons, the frequency of cleaning and the cleaning supplies used can all be tracked and monitored through the use of housekeeping solutions. The hotel’s operations team can quickly and pro-actively assign tasks and schedule assignments through these solutions. Paving the way for success in 2021 and beyond requires hoteliers to tap into the unfathomable opportunities of technology. It requires them to deliver the processes needed to support housekeeping teams and gain guest confidence in this new chapter that hospitality has turned the page to.

Author

Varadharajan Athmanathan

Vice President – Professional Services

He joined IDS Next in 2011 as a product specialist amassing an extensive understanding of hospitality technology and its use in daily hotel operations. His primary task of leading the IDS Next’s Technical Support Centre includes managing its 24/7 technical support operations.