Leisure and hospitality jobs poised to make a comeback after falling off during COVID

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - One of the hardest hit areas during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the leisure and hospitality industry, and job seekers may look there for their future employer.

The latest numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show 1.5-million leisure and hospitality jobs need to be filled nationwide.

At a Visit Santa Barbara seminar last week, the number of open jobs in Santa Barbara County in hospitality was 1,800.

It is unclear where the workers who held these jobs have gone during the pandemic.

Analysts say some left the area and others found higher paying jobs.

The Kimpton Canary hotel in Santa Barbara hosted an all-day job fair on Wednesday for hotel job positions and the soon to be reopened Finch and Fork restaurant.

The hotel is located at 31 W. Carrillo at the corner of Chapala St. in downtown Santa Barbara.

Tim Thomas with the Kimpton-Canary Hotel said business is picking up and travelers are on the move again. "Guests are coming back in full force but employees aren't. For us it is really trying to recruit."

They hope to have the restaurant staff hired soon. "We're starting the training next week, so everyone from the food and beverage department is starting at the same time."

For the applicants, if you have what it takes, you could be hired on the spot.. A convincing pitch is a good start.

One person at the job fair, Mia Moore told the staff she would describe herself as, "somebody that gets the job done.  Somebody that they can rely on, dependable ."

After meeting the staff and answering some questions, Moore said, "I get a lot of enjoyment out of hospitality. You make people happy,  it is really rewarding in comparison to other jobs that I have had."

Thomas says Kimpton has, " increased pay rates for a number of positions. Our cooks, our hosts we really we have paid attention to that." He says they also have a 401K plan and discounted hotel rooms for employees when they go to other hotel properties in the system.

Many applicants start on line, but at a job fair, the in person interview is still one of the best ways to see if there's a good fit.  

Thomas said, "we stressed the individuality.  If you've got tattoos don't feel like you have to cover them up.  If you've got piercing, come on in. As long as you have a smile on your face and you are ready to work."

Moore, who has been in the area about three years said she has two jobs now and would like to have just one. She was hopeful after the visit saying, "yea it definitely one of the funner interviews I have had for sure."

Many other hiring fairs are taking place including at the Ritz-Carelton Bacara and Chumash Resort.

A hospitality career fair will take place April 20 to fill a variety of tourism-related positions in the area.

For more information go to: Visit Santa Barbara.