انضمت جمعية الفنادق والإقامة الأمريكية (AHLA) إلى قادة الضيافة والحكومة والأعمال من تحالف فنادق Hawai'i ، و Outrigger Hospitality Group ، و Hawai'i House Finance Committee لمناقشة كيف أن الطلب المتزايد على السفر يخلق فرصًا تاريخية لموظفي الفنادق ويؤكد الأهمية الاقتصادية للسفر والفنادق إلى هونولولو وهاواي.
Hawai’i hotels’ 2022 leisure and business travel revenue are both projected to surpass 2019 levels. According to an analysis for AHLA by Kalibri Labs, Hawai’i hotels’ 2022 leisure travel revenue is projected to be $3.9 billion, versus $3.8 billion in 2019; and Hawai’i hotels’ 2022 business travel revenue is projected to be $1.7 billion, versus $1.5 billion in 2019.
To meet the demand for summer travel and prepare for the business travel season, hotels are offering employees historic career opportunities, including higher wages, more benefits and more flexibility than ever before. In the Honolulu-area alone, hotels are looking to fill more than 500 open jobs.
National average hotel wages in 2022 are higher than any other year on record and have risen significantly faster than wages throughout the general economy since the pandemic.
Speakers at today’s event discussed how the return of travel and resulting hotel hiring spree is highlighting the important economic role hotels play in Honolulu and across Hawai’i.
“The comeback we’re seeing in Honolulu is a great example of why hoteliers are optimistic about the future,” said American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers. “Hotels have always been a major economic engine in communities across the nation, including in Honolulu. And that fact is on full display as hotels are making historic workforce investments to attract and retain the employees needed to meet increased travel demand. And with more than 500 open hotel jobs in Honolulu, now is the time to consider one of the more than 200 enriching careers in the hotel industry.”
“Since the downturn of the pandemic, we have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to host more events, businesses and families at our hotels,” said Jeff Wagoner, President & Chief Executive Officer of Outrigger Hospitality Group. “That opportunity is finally here, and Honolulu hotels and resorts are ready. The continued success of the hotel industry – especially as we bounce back from the pandemic – means greater success for our workforce, their families and all of Honolulu.”
“Hotels in Hawai’i are continuing to welcome back an influx of leisure travelers and also look forward to increased business travel to the area,” said Jerry Gibson, President of the Hawai’i Hotel Alliance. “Our hotels are bolstering their staff to meet the needs of national and international travelers alike. Great wages and benefits are helping build up our workforce as we look forward to more guests and events in the coming months.”
“I am very pleased that Hawai’i’s hotel community is promoting a dialogue about transitioning to regenerative tourism model,” said Sylvia Luke, Chairwoman of the House Finance Committee. “I know that the industry, government and our communities can work together to make sure that this important industry uplifts our local businesses and artisans as well as our visitors.”
Today’s event is one in a series of “Hospitality is Working” events AHLA is hosting in major cities across the nation in conjunction with its Hospitality is Working campaign.
Hospitality is Working highlights the hotel industry’s commitment to investing in its workforce, protecting employees and guests, and supporting local communities across the country as more Americans begin to travel. It includes television and digital advertising as well as AHLA events around the country alongside local hoteliers, economic development organizations and community groups.
