Claire Dawson
The hospitality industry is a major contributor to the global economy, providing employment opportunities for millions of people around the world. The industry includes a range of businesses that provide lodging, food, and other services to travelers and tourists. As of 2018, restaurants made up the largest share of jobs in the European hospitality industry (46.6%), followed closely by hotels (44%). In 2018, the hotel industry provided 1.3 million jobs, while restaurants employed 15.6 million people across America. In 2022, 14.9 million people were employed in the US restaurant industry, while Australia's restaurant and cafe industry employed 946,600 people. The US leisure and hospitality industry employed over 16 million people in 2019, while the UK hospitality industry employs over 2.5 million people. The global hotel and resort industry employs about 10.5 million people, while the travel and tourism sector employs around 320 million people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people employed in the hospitality and leisure industry in the U.S. as of December 2020 | 13.13 million |
| Number of people employed in the hospitality sector UK-wide pre-pandemic | 3.2 million |
| Number of people employed in London by the hospitality sector pre-pandemic | 568,000 |
| Number of people employed in the U.S. restaurant industry | 15.1 million |
| Number of people employed in the U.S. hotel industry | 2.17 million |
| Number of people employed in country clubs in the U.S. | 308,000 |
| Number of people employed by U.S.-based cruise line operators in 2024 | 19,838 |
| Number of people employed by U.S.-based cruise line operators in 2025 | 20,411 |
| Number of people employed by U.S. domestic passenger airlines in 2024 | 576,876 |
| Number of people employed by U.S. domestic passenger airlines projected for 2025 | 583,277 |
| Number of people employed in the accommodation and food services sector in the U.K. in 2021 | 2.4 million |
| Number of people employed in businesses with 500 or more employees in the U.K. in 2021 | 862,000 |
| Number of people employed in the hospitality industry in Canada in 2021 | 795,200 |
| Projected number of people employed in the hospitality industry in Canada by 2025 | 846,400 |
| Number of people employed in full-service and limited-service restaurants in Canada | 7,225 |
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What You'll Learn
Restaurant industry employees in the US
The restaurant industry is a significant employer in the US, with an estimated 15.1 million people working in this sector. This makes up around 10% of the overall US workforce. The restaurant industry includes various types of establishments, such as fine-dining restaurants, chain restaurants, cafes, and cafeterias. Each of these establishments requires a dedicated workforce to handle different tasks.
Floor staff, for example, are typically employed in full-service restaurants to support the wait staff. They are responsible for clearing dirty tableware, setting tables, and assisting waiters or waitresses in delivering food to patrons. Their role is crucial in ensuring smooth operations and enhancing the overall dining experience for customers. Additionally, they may provide basic customer service by communicating with patrons and addressing their needs.
Wait staff, or servers, are another integral part of the restaurant workforce. They are the front-line employees who directly interact with customers and take their orders. Wait staff need to possess strong communication skills and a thorough knowledge of the menu to effectively suggest and upsell various dishes and beverages. They play a crucial role in ensuring customer satisfaction and often develop their own techniques to provide a unique and memorable experience for guests.
The kitchen staff, including chefs, cooks, and kitchen assistants, are responsible for preparing and cooking the food. They work behind the scenes to ensure that dishes are prepared according to the menu specifications and customer requests. Chefs are highly skilled and creative individuals who design menus, experiment with new recipes, and manage the kitchen's daily operations. Cooks assist chefs in food preparation and may specialize in specific areas such as pastries or grilled items. Kitchen assistants help with basic tasks such as peeling vegetables, washing dishes, and maintaining kitchen sanitation.
The management team in a restaurant includes positions like the general manager, assistant manager, and shift supervisors. They are responsible for the overall operations of the restaurant, including staff management, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. Restaurant managers often have a background in hospitality or business administration, enabling them to effectively oversee daily activities and ensure a seamless dining experience for customers. They may also be involved in marketing and promotional activities to attract new patrons and retain existing ones.
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US hotel industry employment
The US hotel industry is a significant contributor to the country's economy, with a projected value of $247.45 billion by 2025. The industry is expected to provide employment to approximately 2.17 million people, a notable recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which eliminated over a decade's worth of job growth in the sector.
The hotel industry in the US is facing various challenges and opportunities that influence employment dynamics. Firstly, the industry is witnessing a push for higher wages for hotel workers, especially in Los Angeles, with a measure to increase wages to $30 per hour over three years. This has sparked a debate between unions and the travel industry, with supporters arguing that the wage increase is necessary for workers to cover their basic expenses, while business leaders warn of potential job losses and negative impacts on the tourism economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the US hotel industry, causing a sharp decline in hotel occupancy rates and eliminating years of job growth. However, the industry is showing signs of recovery, with an expected nationwide hotel occupancy rate of 63.38% in 2025. This recovery is crucial for the industry's employment levels and overall economic contribution.
Another factor influencing the US hotel industry is the integration of technology and automation. Hotel owners are considering cost-cutting measures, such as closing bars and restaurants or implementing automation at check-in, which may impact employment levels. However, it's important to note that the industry is also experiencing staff turnover, with high-pressure working conditions and excessive stress contributing to employee departures.
The US hotel industry's performance is also linked to broader trends in the hospitality landscape. The cruise and airline industries are expected to experience growth in passenger numbers and staffing levels by 2025, which could impact hotel demand and staffing needs. Additionally, the increasing demand for wellness and recreational amenities has led to a growth in fitness facility memberships, influencing hospitality venues offering similar services.
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Country club employment
Country clubs are an important part of the hospitality industry, which is worth over $570 billion worldwide. Country club employment figures in the US show that there are approximately 308,000 people employed in country clubs across the country. This number is expected to grow, with the market size for recreation clubs projected to reach $64.84 billion in 2025. This growth is driven by regions with favourable year-round climates, such as the Southeast, where golf courses and country clubs thrive due to the warm weather.
Country clubs offer a range of employment opportunities, including full-time, part-time, and internship positions. These positions are often referred to as the "heartbeat" of the club, fostering a culture of internal growth and opportunity. Employees in country clubs can benefit from comprehensive benefits programs and gain valuable experience that can be applied to their future careers.
The Lee Elder Internship, for example, is a week-long initiative that provides college and graduate students with exposure to golf industry job opportunities and professional development training. This initiative took place during the week of the 2022 US Open at The Country Club, offering diverse individuals valuable insights into the industry.
Country clubs also contribute to the local community, with some offering benefits to their employees and members alike. The social connections and sense of community fostered by country clubs can lead to enjoyable and fulfilling work experiences for employees. Overall, country club employment is a significant aspect of the hospitality industry, offering a range of career opportunities and contributing to the economic growth of the recreation club market.
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US airline industry staffing
The US airline industry is a significant component of the country's economy, employing thousands of people. The industry includes both passenger and cargo airlines, and the employment numbers fluctuate from month to month.
As of February 2025, the US airline industry employed 1,004,718 workers, a slight decrease from the previous month. This number includes both passenger and cargo airlines. The industry has seen some ups and downs in recent months, with employment figures reaching 1,035,476 in November 2024 before gradually decreasing in the following months.
When focusing on passenger airlines, the US airline industry employed 544,298 people in December 2024, representing 54% of the industry-wide total. Domestic passenger airlines are projected to employ 583,277 people in 2025, an increase from the previous year. This projection highlights the expected growth in the industry, catering to the rising number of domestic air travelers, which is estimated to reach 850 million in 2025.
The airline industry is an integral part of the broader hospitality landscape, which includes the cruise industry, restaurants, hotels, and recreation clubs. The hospitality industry in the US is expected to reach new heights, with the market size projected to grow to $247.45 billion by 2025 and $313.87 billion by 2030. Within this, the restaurant industry is estimated to employ 15.9 million people, while the hotel industry is expected to employ 2.17 million.
The hospitality industry encompasses a wide range of sectors, including country clubs, golf courses, fitness facilities, and travel and tourism. It offers diverse career opportunities and contributes significantly to the country's economic growth and development.
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Hospitality employment in the UK
The hospitality industry is a significant employer in the UK, with around 2.5 million people working in the sector in 2023, according to the ONS. This accounts for about 7.1% of total UK employment, although this is a decrease from pre-pandemic levels, where the sector employed over 3 million people. The industry has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with businesses losing around 355,000 workers and struggling with staff shortages. During the pandemic, 1.65 million hospitality workers were furloughed, and the sector faced a 43% revenue drop due to lockdowns and restrictions.
Despite these challenges, hospitality remains a key employer, particularly in tourist destinations such as London, Edinburgh, and resort towns like Brighton and Bournemouth. The industry offers a range of career options, from team member positions to senior and managerial roles. However, it has historically been associated with high turnover and poor job satisfaction, and improving the perception of hospitality jobs is necessary to attract more domestic workers. Better pay, clearer career paths, improved working conditions, and increased staff benefits are some of the suggested solutions to make hospitality roles more attractive.
The UK government recognises the industry's contribution to the economy, and strategies such as investment in workforce training and immigration policy reform are crucial for the sector's future growth. Hospitality businesses also need to prioritise employee retention by improving communication, providing clear information about benefits and development opportunities, and offering flexible working arrangements.
The hospitality industry in the UK has a diverse workforce, with higher proportions of younger workers, foreign-born individuals, part-time workers, and individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds compared to other industries. It is also facing labour shortages, with vacancies in the sector amounting to more than 174,000 in early 2024. Addressing these shortages and making the sector attractive and accessible to workers is essential for its continued growth.
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Frequently asked questions
As of December 2023, there were 16.82 million people working in the hospitality and leisure industry in the US. This number has been steadily increasing since 2009, apart from a sharp decline in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The hospitality industry provides employment opportunities for millions of people around the world. Approximately 10% of the global workforce is employed in hospitality, which includes hotels, restaurants, resorts, and travel services. The global travel and tourism sector employed 330 million people in 2019, but this number fell to 271 million in 2020. As of 2023, around 320 million people are employed in the travel and tourism sector.
The hospitality industry in the UK employs more than 2.5 million people.
