The Possible Changes to the Human Resource Management of Thailand’s Hotel Industry Post-COVID Pandemic

Abstract

It has been over a year, and the COVID pandemic is still impacting many industries, such as the hotel industry. Globally, numerous organizations had to lay off millions of people to cope with the effects of COVID. Although it is not as critical in Thailand as it initially was, it led to an increase in unemployment rates and hotels closing down temporarily and permanently. An optimistic perspective predicts that the hotel industry may recover soon, but that does not mean that Human Resource Management will stay the same. Many people have gained hope from remote working, but hotel employees do not have that option. Since they have to show up in person, it is evident that Human Resources will have to apply some changes to the protocols and workplace. To foresee the possible changes, the author tackles five main aspects of Human Resource Management: Recruitment, Training, Motivation, Healthy Environment, and Retainment of Employment. With each part, the author addresses the problems that the hotel industry in Thailand faces and then formulates a strategy to cope with them. The author concludes with a positive note that even though the COVID pandemic forced so much change to Human Resources, one can still be hopeful that the change will only bring growth and adaptation.