Job prospects Guest Services Agent - Hotel near Charlottetown (PE)

Over the past few years (2021-2023), there was a labour shortage for Hotel front desk clerks near Charlottetown (PE). There were more job openings than workers available to fill them in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Assessment Methodology

The employment outlook will be moderate for Hotel front desk clerks (NOC 64314) in Prince Edward Island for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.
• Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

Following a strong post-pandemic recovery in 2022, the Island’s tourism sector experienced another solid season in 2023 with considerable gains in tourist traffic (particularly by way of the Confederation Bridge and air). Furthermore, the Island welcomed a record number of cruise ships in 2023 which generated significant economic spin-offs in the sector. Tourism activity is expected to be favourable over the forecast period, however, risk factors such as elevated prices and high interest rates may temper growth. 

Risk factors that could soften employment demand in this occupation include elevated prices and high interest rates, which could reduce consumer spending on non-essential goods and services. 

There are few barriers to entry in this occupation, and as a result, many workers may enter this job on a temporary basis while searching for alternate professions. Given the young age profile, staff turnover should be a major contributor to job openings. Hotel front desk clerks tend to be a seasonal position and recruitment normally occurs in the spring to prepare for the summer months when tourism often peaks.

Hotel front desk clerks with industry experience and knowledge of computer reservation systems, basic bookkeeping and accounting may have improved employment prospects.

Here are some key facts about Hotel front desk clerks in Prince Edward Island:

• Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Hotel front desk clerks mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Accommodation services (NAICS 721): more than 95%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 79% compared to 84% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 21% compared to 16% for all occupations
• 17% of hotel front desk clerks work all year, while 83% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 31 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 42% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 57% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 11% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 47% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 11% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology