In December 2023, the hotel industry saw a record number of part-time job listings, driven by a recovery in inbound tourism demand and a resulting labor shortage. According to the Japan Tourism Agency’s “Accommodation Travel Statistics Survey,” the total number of overnight stays in November 2023 increased by 7.9% compared to the same month in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase is largely attributed to a rise in foreign visitors, corroborated by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), which reported that the number of foreign visitors in November 2023 nearly matched the figures from 2019.
A survey by Teikoku Databank revealed that the “Inn and Hotel” sector feels the most acute shortage of full-time employees, topping the list across all industries. This sector also ranks second in the shortage of part-time and non-full-time staff. Responding to this, Timee saw a record number of job listings for hotels and inns in December 2023, with the number of business establishments in this sector increasing approximately 4.2 times compared to the same month in the previous year.
Recently, there has been an increase in new hotel and inn openings. Major companies like Teikoku Hotel Co., Ltd. and Hoshino Resorts Inc. are planning new launches. These openings have started to utilize part-time jobs effectively, such as incorporating them into staffing plans from pre-launch or launch phases, thereby alleviating staff shortages.
（Source:Timee）
Regionally, significant growth in job listings was observed in the Kansai and Hokkaido areas, with record numbers reached in December 2023. The Kansai area, in particular, is expected to see an increase in accommodation demand in preparation for the “EXPO 2025 Osaka Kansai World Expo.” Timee is intensifying its support in this region. In Hokkaido, efforts are being made to collaborate with local governments to promote the use of part-time jobs.
To address the labor shortage in the hotel industry, Timee is pioneering new usage methods, strengthening collaborations with local governments and tourism associations, and striving to resolve industry challenges.
