The American Hotel & Lodging Association marked National Hotel Employee Day by recognizing the more than 2.2 million hotel employees in the U.S. and releasing a report examining career advancement and economic impact across the industry.
The report, “A Place to Start, A Place to Grow: The Modern Hotel Job Is a Launchpad for Career Growth, Powering Local Communities,” found that three out of four hotel employees moved into a management role within five years of starting their first hotel job. The report also identified more than 200 career pathways across the hotel industry. According to the report, each hotel job supports approximately 4.25 additional jobs across the U.S. economy, representing more than 9.1 million jobs in total.
AHLA launched National Hotel Employee Day in 2022. This year's observance included recognition from elected officials at the federal, state and local levels, including U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, as well as governors in Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon and Wisconsin. Mayors and local governments also recognized the occasion, including the Boston City Council, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and City Council, and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
“There are tremendous opportunities in the hotel industry. We offer more than a job. There are multiple pathways to a rewarding and meaningful career, and National Hotel Employee Day serves as an opportunity to recognize that,” Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of the AHLA, said in a statement. “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 AHLA Foundation is committed to making sure a first job in hospitality can be the start of something much bigger,” added Kevin Carey, president and CEO of the AHLA Foundation.
The AHLA Foundation supports workforce development initiatives, including registered apprenticeships developed with the U.S. Department of Labor that combine on-the-job training with classroom education. The foundation also supports industry-recognized certifications, scholarships, mentorship programs and the FORWARD movement, which focuses on developing the next generation of hospitality workers and leaders through partnerships with high schools and universities.