The HR department has immense potential to deliver more value to a business’ market and financial performance. But this potential is rarely met as the HR people are often caught up in repetitive tasks such as recruitment, onboarding, payroll administration, handling grievances and filing regulatory paperwork. Investing in HR technology can enable hospitality businesses to automate routine tasks, hence free up time for HR practitioners to handle more strategic tasks. With the talent crisis prevailing in the hotel sector, HR departments require making their processes more agile through digital HR transformation. 

In this article, read what HR tech entails and discover how technology has impacted hospitality hiring. Find out how the hotel industry leverages HR tech to meet key business objectives and how to get your digital strategy right if you operate a small hotel business.

 

What Is HR Technology?

HR technology refers to the array of software and hardware businesses use to manage and direct people-related tasks. Examples of these tasks include talent sourcing, recruitment and onboarding, employee benefits and perks, staff training etc. Basically, HR technology allows HR practitioners to effectively manage resources under them and thus play a more strategic role in an organisation. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), contactless tech, robotics and virtual reality can help the hospitality sector achieve key business objectives such as higher revenues, cost-saving, talent acquisition and retention. It therefore comes as no surprise that the global HR tech market is projected to be valued at $39.9 billion in 2029.[1] 

 

How Technological Trends Have Changed Hospitality Hiring

Advances in technology have brought radical changes in hospitality recruitment. Here are some ways tech has made this possible:

1. Pre-hire Assessment Tools Make Hiring More Efficient

Digital HR transformation has changed the hiring process by making the process faster and efficient. The adoption of pre-assessment hiring tools, on which Hosco is working hard to provide to its partners soon to assess candidates, has reduced the time HR managers require for poring over every application. Also, hiring managers are more likely to get the right candidate the first time, hence saving money on repeated recruitment cycles.

2. Applicant Tracking Systems Reduce Inherent Human Bias

The applicant tracking system can anonymise the hiring process, hence reducing human bias. Eliminating bias in hiring hospitality employees can help a hotel/restaurant provide equal opportunities and improve staff diversity. A workforce that reflects the customer diversity can improve the hotel’s bottom-line. 

We understand that your ATS is important. That's why we've made Hosco’s platform easy to integrate with your hotel's ATS. Now you can mitigate bias and find great talent at the same time, without having to switch platforms!

3. Instant Messaging Enables Seamless Communication With Candidates

One of the greatest consumers of time in hiring hospitality staff is the constant back and forth between recruiters and candidates. Instant messaging has enabled recruiters to reach out faster to candidates and vice versa. Getting instant responses from a mobile-first candidates pool enables companies to fill open roles faster. 

Did you know that Hosco's platform allows you to contact candidates via direct message? This means you can reach out personally and establish a relationship before they apply for your jobs!

4. AI and ML Take Over Mundane Tasks From Recruiters

The advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning technology have freed up more time for recruiters. AI algorithmic capabilities have powered repetitive tasks, such as scheduling interviews, answering candidates’ questions and automating some onboarding tasks. As AI takes over these tasks, HR practitioners can concentrate on providing a human touch to job candidates.

→ 😎 Hiring at mass events can be hectic and nerve-wracking. Want to get the most out of these events? Here is a handy guide to mass hiring for hospitality businesses.

 

How Hotels Can Leverage HR Technology

Here are ways tech can be used to achieve key business objectives of higher revenue, operational efficiency, personalised experience and talent management.

Revenue Management

Hospitality technology can help your business ramp up revenue in various ways. AI can enable hotels and resorts to implement a dynamic pricing strategy to take advantage of increased demand for hotel services. AI-powered analytics can scour data such as booking patterns, weather forecast and competitor offerings to inform pricing and drive-up sales revenue. Machine learning analytics can also look at internal factors, such as: the most popular meals, beverages and rooms to enable hotel managers to optimise their inventories. Besides increasing hotel revenue, tech can also help hospitality businesses save costs. By leveraging technology, hotels can reduce operating costs, reduce compliance risks and avoid incurring heavy penalties.

Talent Management

The hospitality labour crisis exacerbated significantly during the pandemic is far from over. As the travel and leisure sector sets to resume the pre-pandemic demand, hotel employers can look to technology for manpower solutions.  A report by McKinsey notes that high-turnover industries have used HR analytics to reduce attrition by double-digits, a practice that the travel and tourism industry can adopt. Human resource technology can enable employers to fill hospitality jobs faster. For instance, big data mining can allow the hotel sector to source early talent interested in working in hospitality to create a pipeline of candidates. By leveraging their social media presence, hotel employers can pitch their employer brand to Gen Z who are looking for career direction.

→ 🧑‍🎓 Timing is critical when it comes to securing the best talent for your company. And we know that proactive talent sourcing is a key recruitment strategy. Reduce your time-to-hire with Hosco’s: 

  • New and improved navigation design to search members: This feature allows you to see the search results and open detailed candidate profiles all in one view. 
  • Member activity check: This feature allows you to check when members were last active on their profile.
  • New colour indicators: Leverage these indicators to see profiles that were active in the last 7 and 30 days.
  • Exclusive hospitality-specific filters: Hosco offers advanced filtering options for the hospitality industry, such as searching for candidates with Michelin-star restaurant experience, candidates with hospitality education, etc.

Operational Efficiency

Hospitality technology can bring greater efficiency to hotel operations. For instance, adopting mobile technology can streamline front-desk operations, offering guests a fantastic check-in and check-out experience. An effective knowledge management system can enable any hotel staff to access information at the click of a button and provide quick solutions to guests. As a hotel employer, you can use your technology capabilities as a flex to attract and retain hospitality talent. This way, your hotel business can survive talent upheavals and continue offering unrivalled services to guests all-year round. Human resource technology can also enhance reskilling and upskilling of employees through integrated learning and development programs. Well-trained employees are more likely to perform their roles more efficiently and delight your customers.

Personalised Customer Experience

The hospitality industry thrives in offering guests exceptional, human-driven experiences. Technology is coming not to replace these age-old ideals, but to complement human touch. Automation of mundane tasks can enable hotel employees to provide more specialised assistance and focus to guests. The modern hospitality guest’ preferences are varied and evolving. According to a Skift +Oracle Hospitality report, 35% of millennial and Gen Z travellers compared to 14% of baby boomers said they were very interested in staying at a hotel that offers automated messaging for customer service requests [2]. Adopting technological solutions will enhance hospitality players’ ability to meet the demands of a segmented customer base.

Putting the Right Digital Strategy in Place for Small Hotels

Investing in workplace technology might be a breeze for the big boys in the hotel industry, but not so for small and medium-sized hotels. Investing in tech requires a well-thought-out digital strategy. This entails identifying priority areas, such as recruitment, staff engagement, payroll, training, etc. A successful tech strategy should also be agile and aligned with current business needs. Keep in mind that not all technology is right for your business. You may need to consider the following factors before investing in HR digitisation:

  • Configuration: Choose software that is intuitive and easy to use, even for staff who may not be tech-savvy. Configurability also means getting adaptable technology that can be useful even as the business grows.
  • Customisation: Every business, even within the same industry, is different in some ways. This means software that works for one hotel may not be helpful to your business. Invest in software with the right mix of features to meet your business’ unique needs.
  • Analytics: Every day, hotels generate loads of data. The right software helps the business make sense of this data to inform business decisions, identify business and recruitment trends, and make the cost of emerging opportunities.

→ 💡 Looking to tap into wider talent pools to meet business demands? Read how talent exchanges can help your business, and how to keep your talent pool engaged while encouraging innovation.

 

Sources

[1] Market Research Report, https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/human-resource-hr-technology-market-105437

[2] Hospitality in 2025:AUTOMATED, INTELLIGENT…AND MORE PERSONAL, Skift + Oracle Hospitality

[3] Edwardian Hotels London launches robot concierge https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2016/05/10/Edwardian-Hotels-launches-robot-concierge-in-London

[4] Meet Connie—The Hilton’s Newest Hotel Concierge, https://futurism.com/meet-connie-hiltons-newest-hotel-concierge

[5] World’s First Robot-Staffed Hotels Make Business Travel Inroads, https://www.nippon.com/en/guide-to-japan/gu900045/