According to a recent analysis by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Kalibri Labs, U.S. hotel leisure travel revenue is forecast to end in 2022, 14 per cent higher than in 2019. At the same time, hotel business travel revenue is predicted to be within 1 per cent of 2019 levels.
Since the projections have not taken inflation into account, a full recovery of hotel revenue will probably take several more years.
The post-pandemic recovery is still uneven across the country, especially in many important cities and locations where business travel has still not returned.
Among the top 50 U.S. markets, 80 per cent are projected to see hotel leisure travel revenue exceed 2019 levels, but just 40 per cent are expected to reach that milestone for business travel revenue. In addition, many urban marketplaces, which rely significantly on sales from gatherings and events, are still making progress towards recovery.
With more than 115,000 hotel jobs open around the U.S. due to the increase in revenue, hotel employees now have access to historic career options.
According to a September 2022 AHLA member survey, hotels are providing potential workers with a variety of incentives to fill open positions:
- 81 per cent have improved pay
- 64 per cent are offering more flexibility with hours, and
- 35 per cent have expanded perks.
“The hotel industry continues its march toward recovery, but we still have a way to go before we fully get there,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “That’s why AHLA remains focused on working with members, lawmakers and stakeholders in markets that are rebounding more slowly to ensure the full return of meetings, conferences, and group travel in addition to leisure and business travel. At the same time, we are continuing to grow the industry’s talent pipeline by highlighting the unprecedented career opportunities hotels are offering. Thanks to higher wages, better benefits, and more flexibility and opportunities for advancement, there has never been a better time to work at a hotel.”
The AHLA Foundation’s “A Place to Stay” multi-channel advertising campaign is now running in 14 cities. Its goal is to assist hotels in filling open positions and increase awareness of the 200+ career pathways available in the hotel industry.
Recent “Hospitality is Working” events held by AHLA in significant American cities were a success. While promoting the hotel industry’s steadfast commitment to investing in its workforce, safeguarding employees and customers, and assisting local communities, the campaign aimed to encourage business and leisure travel.
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