ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida hotels are bracing for a busy year as businesses bounce back to near pre-pandemic levels.

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However, they’re having trouble getting enough workers.

The hospitality industry was hit hard when COVID-19 brought tourism to a halt, but is starting to bounce back after the pandemic.

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Still, hotels said they are finding ways to bring new employees on board and keep the ones they have.

Numbers from the American Hotel and Lodging Association show in 2019, occupancy levels were at 72%. In 2023, that number is expected to be just slightly above that, at 70.5%.

But hotel operators say the problem now is getting enough employees to keep things running properly.

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In 2019, there were more than 210,000 people in the industry. Now, it’s closer to 195,000.

According to projections, Florida is leading the nation in state and local tax revenue, with a drastic increase compared to 2019.

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