According to the hotel industry's 2025 Salary Guide by Excel Recruitment, some companies have begun paying employees in cash as a result of budgetary difficulties.

"With some establishments turning to cash-in-hand payments, black market growth is a risk that threatens the businesses that don’t offer cash-in-hand as competition for staff continues to heat up," Excel said.

An estimate suggested , the minimum wage would increase to €13.50 per hour in January 2025, putting further financial pressure on the hotel industry.

This follows higher pension requirements, PRSI contributions, and sick pay. According to the 2025 compensation guide, managerial salaries will mostly stay the same, but entry-level and supervisory positions will see significant wage changes.

In order to reconcile growing expenses with customer expectations, the survey also discovered that companies in the industry are depending more and more on automation and employment agencies.

"The hospitality industry is at a crossroads," Excel Recruitment's managing director, Shane McLave, stated.

"With anywhere between 600 and 700 hospitality venues closing in the last 12 months alone, it’s not a surprise that just about everyone we meet in this sector is concerned about its sustainability," he stated.

"Businesses are being forced to make difficult decisions to survive, which has significant implications for both employees and customers," said Mr. McLave.