Busch Gardens, Water Country USA still need 1,000 workers as fewer international student workers return

Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA are offering higher wages and benefits to attract more than 1,000 workers this year as businesses compete for staff.

The amusement parks typically add 600 to 1,000 workers each season, so the hiring push isn’t unusual, although demand for workers, particularly in the hospitality industry, is stronger this year, said Kevin Lembke, president of the parks.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt in this area or, of course really across the country, that hiring has been more challenging, particularly for the tourism industry,” he said.

That means the parks are increasing starting wages to $13 and $14 an hour for food and beverage positions in addition to offering sign-on bonuses from $200 to $500 to fill upward of 1,000 positions, he said.

“It makes sense for us from a business standpoint as we see demand increasing and the opportunities we have this season, our recruiting efforts and wages are in line where the business opportunity lies,” Lembke said.

When asked if prices would need to increase, Lembke said pricing is based more on supply and demand of the product or service and not directly related to wages. He said, “Guests can expect similar prices that they’ve seen in previous years.”

Busch Gardens and Water Country are known for unique perks, such as free admission, tickets for friends and family and in-park discounts, but the benefits also include tuition assistance and paid time off, he said. Part-time workers are eligible for benefits, with paid time off based on hours worked and the length of time off.

“We’re seeing some great applications and building back the team as we go,” Lembke said.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic and related government orders, Water Country USA didn’t open last year and Busch Gardens couldn’t open until its fall season — with limited capacity.

The return of international student workers through the State Department’s J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program this year will help bolster the parks’ workforce. Busch Gardens and Water Country are anticipating a few hundred student workers from various countries, which is down from about 500 or more in a typical year, Lembke said. Many are arriving in May and June, which is delayed from the usual February and March.

Last year, then-President Donald Trump barred most temporary foreign visa workers to reduce the spread of coronavirus. President Joe Biden let the ban expire at the end of March, although there are still travel restrictions in place. In 2019, Virginia hosted 10,157 temporary nonimmigrant J-1 visa workers, according to the latest online State Department data.

The Virginia Beach Hotel Association estimates that about 1,500 international student workers annually supplement the workforce for its members during the peak summer season, but only a few hundred are expected to come this year, said John Zirkle, association president. The area doesn’t have enough local workers for the influx of tourists between Memorial Day and Labor Day, he said.

The tourism industry, he said, is asking the Biden administration to help find ways to streamline the process for student visa workers, particularly as embassies had been operating in a limited capacity because of COVID. The region suffers economically from the loss of student workers who may work second jobs and stay in hotels and spend money on food and activities, he said.

The association estimates there are still about 1,500 open hotel and restaurant positions that need to be filled, Zirkle said. Because of the pandemic, the hotel industry had been looking for local staff since last summer.

“We’re all still reeling from the losses of everything,“ Zirkle said. “The students want to come.”

Busch Gardens had virtual job fairs and started hosting in-person events with on-the-spot job offers in the past few weeks, and that will continue through the spring, Lembke said. The company has been in contact with college students coming back to work during their summer break too.

The parks are seeing increased demand from visitors and plan to capitalize on the momentum while operating in the safest way possible, Lembke said. More people are getting vaccinated across the country and feel safer resuming normal summer activities, and Busch Gardens offers plenty of outdoor space. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been advising that outdoor activities are safer than indoor. Busch Gardens is marketing the return of Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town this year.

“We’re definitely turning the corner as, I think, the area is looking forward to a strong summer,” Lembke said.

Tara Bozick, 757-247-4741, tbozick@dailypress.com