Schulering HUB Talking Hospitality Podcast

Hotel Onboarding Today: How Training Shapes Staff Retention & Guest Experience - PART 2

Schulering Season 4 Episode 122

PART 2

Why do so many hotel employees leave within months, despite good pay and beautiful properties? Why do managers spend endless hours retraining new hires, only to repeat the cycle again and again? And most importantly—what can independent hoteliers do to stop the turnover spiral?

In this 3-part series of Talking Hospitality, host Mauricio Schuler speaks with seasoned hotel leader Nah-Dja Tien to uncover the past, present, and future of hotel onboarding—and how it directly impacts both staff retention and guest satisfaction.

Episode 1 – Past:
From Disney University’s famously rigorous onboarding to boutique hotels relying on shadowing and “tribal knowledge,” we explore what shaped current hospitality training practices—and why they often fail.

Episode 2 – Present:
The reality facing most independent hotels today: high turnover, limited HR support, and managers juggling training with dozens of other tasks. We reveal how these gaps affect employee experience, staff retention, and the guest journey.

Episode 3 – Future:
Looking ahead with optimism, we discuss innovative solutions—like pre-employment onboarding, buddy systems, employee audits, and Schulering’s STAY Framework (Standards, Training, Acculturation, Your Role)—that help independent hotels build happier, more consistent teams.

📊 Key takeaways:

  • Hotels face an average turnover rate of 23%, but without proper onboarding, it doubles to 42%.
  • Losing a single employee costs European hotels an average of €5,000+.
  • Employees are 69% more likely to stay for 3 years if they experience structured onboarding.
  • Companies that invest in staff training see 24% higher profit margins.

This series is designed for independent hotel owners, general managers, HR leaders, and hospitality consultants who want practical, proven strategies to reduce turnover, improve staff engagement, and deliver unforgettable guest experiences.

👉 Subscribe now and follow the full series—Past, Present, and Future—to discover how great hotel onboarding transforms not only your team but also your bottom line.

Find more information about Schulering on our website.

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Schulering: Evolving Hospitality through Learning.

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