It is well known that hospitality work is physically demanding and involves mental stress and, at times, an uncompetitive compensation package. This has resulted in a high employee turnover rate in recent years. Staff retention is thus a challenge, especially for employees belonging to Generation Y (Gen Y). The situation in Thailand is not different, especially with respect to Gen Y. This article aims to identify the ideas and perceptions held by Gen Y undergraduates who are currently being educated in the field of tourism and hospitality and whose education will possibly lead them Gen to seek long-term employment in the hotel industry. In order to identify the influential factors, the researchers aim to obtain maximum information, views and thoughts from research purposive respondents in this study; thus, qualitative research using an inductive approach involving a focus group discussion methodology was selected. 66 Gen Y students who are studying the Tourism and Hospitality Management programme from the first International College in Thailand participated in this study. The results suggest that Gen Y students share similar views on the influential factors to work effectively. They identified five key factors: effective leaders, a friendly environment, good pay and benefits, a flexible policy and culture and great facilities. The result details allow an understanding of the conditions and requirements for practitioners and researchers who are interested in studying Gen Y in the hotel industry.