America’s hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts are mainstays in communities from coast to coast, supporting 1 in 25 American jobs, totaling 8.3 million jobs generating $395 billion in annual labor income.
A typical hotel supports more than 250 local jobs and 61 percent of hotels – more than 33,000 properties – are small businesses. When guests stay at our hotels, they generate $186 billion in federal, state and local taxes, and spend $278 billion on transportation, dining, shopping and other activities at local businesses during their stays.
But more than that, the hotel industry is about people – the more than eight million who proudly work in and support our industry, and the guests we serve. That’s why the lodging industry has a strong commitment to investing in the men and women who are at the heart of hospitality – they are our industry’s greatest resource.
Indeed, our industry exemplifies the American Dream, fostering development, upward mobility, and exciting life-long careers. In fact, more than half of hotel department managers and many general managers started their hotel careers in hourly, entry-level positions. Our industry provides the ladder of opportunity to anyone who is willing to work hard and with desire to get ahead.
For over 60 years, AHLA and the hotel industry have developed innovative, proactive programs that allow us to better recruit more individuals into a career of hospitality and further advance the lodging industry workforce by providing scholarships, workforce initiatives and industry-recognized certifications that prepare our employees for future success.
Hospitality is working but more can be done with smart policy solutions that allow hoteliers to further expand opportunity and grow our workforce. Will you join us?
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the singular voice that brings together and represents the lodging industry’s multitude of constituents, including: global hotel brands, hotel owners, REITs, management companies, branded and independent properties, bed & breakfasts, state hotel associations, industry partners and suppliers.