This study sought to identify and analyze hospitality industry employees’ rationale for leaving the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study further explored possible remedies hospitality industry organizations can adopt to rehire employees who decided to leave the industry. A qualitative survey was conducted online using Qualtrics to anonymously collect data from hospitality industry employees who had voluntarily left the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic–a sample that is difficult to recruit for research purposes. The thematic analysis revealed several explanations behind the great exodus from the hospitality industry. Unfortunately, not many incentives for employees’ return to the industry were revealed. Practical implications and future research suggestions are discussed.
