As you know, the story of our industry is a story of success. The lodging industry has never been more influential and formidable that it is today, as we continue to provide high-quality, good-paying jobs and boost community development, helping so many achieve the American dream.
Many of our members proudly climbed the ladder of opportunity that is abundant in the hospitality space. This is what sets us apart from other industries.
AH&LA’s new Lodging Industry Trends report, released today, underscores this narrative, depicting the steady pace of job creation, community development and increased tourism and travel across the United States. AH&LA also released new state-by-state breakdowns of the lodging industry in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, outlining how lodging facilities contribute to each state’s economic activity.
The latest figures show the hotel industry added more than 30,000 new hotel jobs and more than 100,000 new travel-related jobs, marking a record fifth year of consecutive job creation. Further, salaries are up six percent.
At a time when cities and states are hard pressed for additional revenue to fund needed programs, our industry has also increased its sales tax revenue to $176 billion, which has been instrumental in revitalizing and developing communities and attracting new businesses and travelers. Yet, some new market players and online travel companies operating in the lodging sector neglect their full tax obligations and fail to remit all occupancy and sales taxes. As we’ve shown over and over, our industry is able to flourish within the boundaries of the law, while also evolving the guest experience to anticipate new technologies and guest needs that boost travel and tourism promotion.
Click here to view the complete results of the Lodging Industry Trends study.
Click here to get a snapshot of Oklahoma’s lodging industry contributions.
Indeed, it remains an exciting time for the hotel industry as we see the pace of dynamic growth trending up each year at both the state and national level. As one, unified voice, our story has never been more powerful, our supporters never stronger, and our impact more profound than ever. And it’s just the beginning.
