A survey of 243 hotel managers and executives from over sixty countries identifies continuing concerns with human resources as the most nettlesome issue for the hospitality industry.

The study, by Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research, "Key Issues of Concern in the Lodging Industry: What Worries Managers," was conducted by Cathy Enz, the Lewis G. Schaeneman, Jr. Professor of Innovation and Dynamic Management at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

"The world economy, global warming, recession, taxation, rising costs, shifting customer needs, and a lack of strategic thinking among senior leaders in the industry were all issues of concern to managers around the globe," said Enz.

"Nevertheless, human resources were the big worry for both hotel general managers and corporate executives alike. I must add, however, that the 2008 study was completed before the current economic slowdown. A number of respondents mentioned economic and cost management concerns in this study, but I suspect the economic uncertainty of recent months and its impact on travel may be having a more crippling effect on demand and access to locations than was previously observed."

Problems with attraction, retention, training and development of the industry's work force were cited by respondents around the world as their number-one concern. Given the tenacity of these issues, Enz suggests that industry leaders should work together to rethink how to handle these never-ending challenges.

While respondents noted that economic and environmental issues may be adversely influencing the hospitality industry, many thoughtful managers in this study argued for the importance of building stronger human resource strategies, even in hard times.

As with all Cornell Hospitality Reports, this study is available at no charge at http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/chr/pubs/reports/2009.html

Thanks to the support of the Center for Hospitality Research partners, all publications posted on the center's website are available free of charge, at www.chr.cornell.edu