
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Curt Cashour, [email protected]
San Francisco area hotels to hire 1,200 employees
National, State, SF Hospitality Leaders Address SF Recovery, Growth Potential
SAN FRANCISCO (March 28, 2023) – Although San Francisco area hotels are currently planning to hire nearly 1,200 employees, the city’s hotel industry has a huge capacity for further growth if local leaders pursue the right policies, local and national hotel and business leaders said during a press conference today at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.
San Francisco’s economy remains slow to return to pre-pandemic economic normalcy. So far in 2023, San Francisco hotel occupancy is down by 24% and room revenue is down by 32% compared to 2019, according to STR. Last year, leisure and business travel revenue for San Francisco hotels was projected to be down 29% from 2019 levels, according to Kalibri Labs.
Still, most Americans report being more likely to stay in a hotel this year compared to 2022, and San Francisco area hotels are currently planning to fill more than 1,200 open hotel jobs. To recruit and retain workers, hotels are offering historic average national wages of more than $23/hour, extraordinary benefits and long-term career pathways.
Despite this good news, San Francisco has a long way to go to achieve its full potential for hotel hiring and economic output. There are a number of steps San Francisco leaders can take to help the city’s tourism and business communities grow further, many of which are addressed in Mayor London Breed’s Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future.
“Even though San Francisco area hotels are already on a hiring spree, we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what’s possible when it comes to job creation,” said American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers. “Smart local policies and bold leadership are going to help San Francisco achieve its full economic potential. That’s why we applaud San Francisco Mayor London Breed for her plan to revitalize San Francisco’s downtown. It’s an example for other major cities to follow when it comes to adapting to today’s post-pandemic economy.”
“San Francisco is one of America’s most iconic cities, and hotels here have always been an important part of the local economy,” said California Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Lynn Mohrfeld. “But with area hotels planning to hire more than 1,000 people and leaders like Mayor Breed focused on positive changes for residents and businesses, the potential for economic growth here is incredible. I look forward to working together with city administrators toward an economic recovery that works for all San Francisco residents and businesses.”
“San Francisco hotels are not only a bright spot for the city’s economy, they’re an economic engine supporting thousands of residents with good-paying jobs,” said Hotel Council of San Francisco President & CEO Alex Bastian. “Today, San Francisco hotels are offering better pay, better benefits and more flexibility than ever before. With city leaders focused on ensuring public safety, attracting more businesses and employees, and enhancing public spaces, our capacity to provide more good-paying jobs for residents will only improve.”
“When local hotels are thriving, so are Union Square businesses,” said Union Square Alliance CEO Marisa Rodriguez. “That’s because hotel guests support local shops, restaurants and other small businesses when they visit San Francisco. We are excited to partner with hotel and city leaders to ensure our beloved downtown achieves its full potential.”
View a video of the press conference HERE.
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