Hotel Industry Adds 700 Jobs in June, But Recovery Lags Pre-Pandemic Levels

The U.S. hotel sector showed a modest uptick in employment with the addition of 700 jobs in June, marking a slow but steady recovery from pandemic lows. However, despite these gains, the industry remains significantly below pre-pandemic staffing levels, falling short by nearly 196,000 jobs, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).

As of June, total hotel employment stands at approximately 1.92 million, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This figure reflects ongoing challenges in hiring and retaining staff amidst a nationwide labor shortage.

“Halfway through 2024, the hotel industry continues to struggle with staffing shortages, despite offering near-record high wages and enhanced workplace benefits,” noted AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “The persistent workforce scarcity hampers our members’ ability to fully meet rising travel demand.”

In response to the shortage, AHLA is advocating for legislative action to support its members, many of whom are small business owners. They are urging Congress and the administration to increase the availability of workers by granting approximately 65,000 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas, a move authorized under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Despite wage increases of over 15% compared to the broader economy since the onset of the pandemic, there remains a substantial number of unfilled hotel positions across the country, according to job search platform Indeed. AHLA’s efforts aim to address these gaps and bolster the recovery of the hotel industry as travel demand continues to rebound.