“Valley hotels nervous about busy season”

Posted: 28 Oct 2010 07:43 AM PDT

PHOENIX - Valley area hotels are nervous about the upcoming tourist season.

High season starts Jan. 1 and some are hesitant about hiring extra workers to deal with the possible increase of business.

Typically, hotels double their workforce during high season.

Business was so bad in 2009, they're hoping for any slight improvements in 2011.

"I don't think anybody is expecting us to go back to where we were in 2006 and 2007. I think we're just hoping that we start to see some growth. Some positive growth and some positive signs. That's what we're looking for right now," said Debbie Johnson, president and CEO of the Valley Hotel & Lodging Association.

Johnson said some hotels were able to barely hold on to their permanent workers, so they're keeping a tight ship.

Others, like the Montelucia Resort and Spa, are adding about 25 percent to their workforce for high season.

"Anything that represents a more normal return to normal spending patterns is a good sign for us," said Greg Hanss, director of marketing and sales at Montelucia.

Montelucia, a relatively new resort, says they can hire people because their customers are spending money again.

"People want to be optimistic, but I also think they want to be realistic. And I think that's the challenge right now in the tourism industry. We don't know what's around the next corner," Johnson said.

"People are hiring. They're getting some line-level folks. They're gearing up for the bowl games that we have coming that we have coming in. And they're really optimistic about a strong season this season," she added.

Hotels had a strong October and are looking forward to solid fourth quarter.

Johnson said success for hotels is a telltale sign of where the local economy is headed.

"It's not just valuable for people that keep folk employed. It's also valuable for people who aren't in the industry because it does help pay for some of those services that we all depend on as residents," Johnson said referring to the tax base the tourism industry provides.

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