- AHLA: Hotel jobs more than temporary.
- Most hotel workers reach management in five years.
- Each hotel job supports 4.25 other jobs.
HOTEL JOBS ARE career pathways, not temporary work, according to a report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The association released the findings for National Hotel Employee Day with support from members of Congress, governors and mayors nationwide.
AHLA’s “A Place to Start, A Place to Grow” found three out of four hotel employees move into management within five years of their first job. The industry offers more than 200 career pathways, and each hotel job supports 4.25 other jobs for more than 9.1 million jobs in total.
"There are tremendous opportunities in the hotel industry," said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO. "A career in hospitality can begin with an entry-level job and grow into a lifelong profession, with a chance to develop new skills, take on new responsibilities, and become a leader or owner."
The hotel industry employs more than 2.2 million people in the U.S., supporting guests and economic activity in communities nationwide. The report points to training, certification and advancement programs as drivers of that shift. The association said it will expand workforce development efforts through the AHLA Foundation.
AHLA launched National Hotel Employee Day in 2022 and the observance has grown each year as more officials join the effort.
This year's supporters included U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman. Nine governors also took part: Katie Hobbs of Arizona, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Josh Green of Hawai'i, Mike Braun of Indiana, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Tina Kotek of Oregon and Tony Evers of Wisconsin.
City leaders joined as well, including the Boston City Council; Denver Mayor Mike Johnston; New Orleans City Council and Mayor Helena Moreno; and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
The AHLA Foundation also offers apprenticeships developed with the U.S. Department of Labor, combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction. It also offers certifications, scholarships, mentorships and partnerships with high schools and universities through its FORWARD movement.
"Through our workforce development programs, we help people build the skills, gain the experience, and access the opportunities they need to grow their careers," said Kevin Carey, AHLA Foundation president and CEO. "National Hotel Employee Day is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the amazing people who make our industry strong and reaffirm our commitment to investing in their success."
In May, AHLA raised concerns about challenges facing the U.S. hospitality industry, including franchising regulations, staffing shortages and rising operating costs. The association urged Congress to pass the American Franchise Act to codify the joint employer standard and preserve the franchise model.
