Workforce Overview
Lodging serves as a top ten industry in 48 out of 50 states providing employment, investment, and opportunity. The travel industry accounted for over 7 percent of the 1.6 million jobs created during 2011. Expanding its employment base by 119,000 over the past year, the travel and tourism industry accounted for twice as many jobs as created by the construction and real estate industries combined.
The latest data from the Department of Labor showed a sixth consecutive quarter of travel and tourism employment growth. Within the travel category, the lodging industry has seen the largest rate of growth - with employment rising 3.4 percent during the most recent reporting.
Between its 7.4 million employees, $188 billion in wages, and $759 billion in sales, the travel industry is leading a recovery focused on job creation and positive gains for the economy.
In early 2012 alone, almost 3,000 hotels are expected to be built in the U.S. - supplying thousands of new job opportunities for America's workforce.
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute is committed to investing in the workforce development of the hospitality industry. Ours is an industry of unlimited potential for growth and high-wage jobs. Career pathways start with over 19 front-line positions and continue all the way up through General Management.
Designed specifically for workforce development, the Skills, Tasks, and Results Training (START) program, is a one-year or 180 classroom hour curriculum that gives students the real-world knowledge and skills needed for a long-term career in the lodging industry.
AH&LA Endorses President's Travel Initiative
Acknowledging the prominent role of the travel and tourism sector in creating jobs and powering the economy, President Obama announced today that he has issued an Executive Order aimed at boosting travel and tourism.
"Every year, tens of millions of tourists from all over the world come and visit America. And the more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work. We need to help businesses all across the country grow and create jobs; compete and win."
Click on the brief video link below to learn more about President Obama's Executive Order aimed at boosting travel and tourism
January 19, 2012.
President Obama's Executive Order
Help us ensure your local workforce and students are ready for the opportunities awaiting them - learn more about the Skills, Tasks and Results Training Program (START) today.
For more information about Workforce Development or the START Program, please contact:
Shelly Weir
Senior Director, State Relations & Educational Programs
sweir@ahla.com
407-999-8166
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Lee Ann Lonsdale
Manager, High School Programs
llonsdale@ahla.com
407-999-8115
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Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, Smith Travel Research