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WASHINGTON (September 9, 2019) – Underscoring the significant economic impact and strong growth of the hotel industry, a new study released today finds that hotels support more than 1 in 25 American jobs—8.3 million in total—and contribute nearly $660 billion annually to U.S. GDP. 

Conducted by Oxford Economics, the study was sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHELF) and showcases the breadth and depth of the hotel industry and its value to the communities we serve. The study is part of AHLA’s Dreams Happen Here campaign, which highlights the ways hotels power our economy, support our employees, grow and groom employees, and serve the world’s travelers. The Oxford analysis includes a breakdown of the industry’s economic impact in every state and congressional district in America. View the report and additional information here.

This report builds on the dynamic growth the hotel industry has seen in the last decade. Hotel industry sales have increased 43.5 percent since 2010, with 1.3 billion guests staying in American hotels last year. As the industry attracts more guests, employment has expanded to new highs, reaching 2.3 million hotel jobs directly on property—a gain of more than 160,000 hotel jobs since 2015. The total number of U.S. jobs supported by the hotel industry has increased by 1.1 million since 2015.

Additional key findings from the research include:

• Hotels support a total of $395 billion in wages, salaries and other compensation, both directly at our properties and in the communities we serve.
• A representative hotel with 100 occupied rooms supports more than 240 local jobs and generates $18.4 million in guest spending.
• For every $100 hotel guests spend on lodging, another $222 is spent at the destination—totaling $278 billion per year spent on transportation, dining, shopping, etc. at U.S. businesses during stays.
• Hotels generate $186 billion that goes back to communities through local, state and federal taxes.

“Hotels are an industry of opportunity, and we are proud to make dreams come true every day for the millions of guests we serve, and the 8.3 million people whose jobs we support,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “We are at a critical moment for our industry. Demand for hotels has never been higher, but we are also facing the tightest labor market in a generation. Together with our Foundation, AHLA is working to advance polices that will allow hoteliers to meet our workforce needs, deliver the quality service and amenities our guests expect and deserve, and invest in our employees and communities.”  

U.S. Department of Labor figures show there are nearly one million job vacancies in the hospitality sector. To address this, and as a complement to the work our member companies are already doing, AHLEF has been creating and building innovative programs to rapidly train new employees, while providing current employees a path toward upward mobility.

“Whether it’s providing a young adult with the technical expertise and soft skills to jumpstart a hospitality career, helping a current employee complete a college degree at no cost to them, or giving a scholarship for an aspiring hotel management major, our Foundation is laser-focused on fueling opportunity and grooming the next generation of hoteliers,” said Rosanna Maietta, president of AHLEF.

AHLA members will be on Capitol Hill later this week meeting with U.S. Senators and Representatives and their staff from both parties to talk about the industry’s economic impact and the industry’s federal policy priorities.

About AHLA
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry and contributes nearly $660 billion to U.S. GDP. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Every day, America’s hotels make dreams come true, not just for our guests, but also for the 8.3 million people whose jobs we support—more than 1 in every 25 American jobs. Learn more at www.ahla.com.

About the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHLEF) is the industry’s philanthropic organization, dedicated to helping people build careers that improve their lives and strengthen the lodging industry. Founded in 1953, AHLEF is a subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and provides resources for hospitality-related education, career development, research and public awareness of the industry.  Since its inception approximately $24 million has been awarded in the way of scholarships and research grants, as well as invested in key programs, such as career development and school-to-career, that directly affect the long-term goals and success of the hospitality industry. The Foundation is funded solely by contributions from generous individuals and companies who want to give back to the hotel industry and ensure a successful future. Learn more at www.AHLEF.org.

About Oxford Economics
Oxford Economics was founded in 1981 as a commercial venture with Oxford University’s business college to provide economic forecasting and modelling to UK companies and financial institutions expanding abroad. Since then, it has become one of the world’s foremost independent global advisory firms, providing reports, forecasts and analytical tools on 200 countries, 100 industrial sectors and over 3,000 cities. Headquartered in Oxford, England, with regional centres in London, New York, and Singapore, Oxford Economics has offices across the globe in Belfast, Chicago, Dubai, Miami, Milan, Paris, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington DC. It employs over 200 full-time people, including more than 130 professional economists, industry experts and business editors—one of the largest teams of macroeconomists and thought leadership specialists.

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