WASHINGTON (May 5, 2023) – AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers released the following statement today marking National Small Business Week.

“Six in ten hotels are small businesses, and National Small Business Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the tremendous opportunities hotels are creating for employees and other small companies to grow and thrive,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “Hotels support millions of good-paying jobs and generate billions in state and local tax revenue in communities across the nation. To continue doing so, we’re looking to hire more than 100,000 people around the country. With average hotel wages at near-record levels, better benefits than ever before, and unprecedented opportunity to move up the ranks, there’s never been a better time to start a hotel career.”

Background Info

  • There are currently more than 110,000 open hotel jobs nationally, according to Indeed
  • National average hotel wages for March 2023 were more than $23 per hour – among the highest they’ve ever been. (Source: BLS, accessed 5/5/23)
  • Average hotel wages (+24%) have risen faster than average wages throughout the general economy (+16%) since the pandemic. (Source: BLS and https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CES0500000003, 2/2020-3/2023, accessed 5/5/23)
  • Hotel-generated state and local tax revenue is projected to reach new heights nationally ($46.71 billion) and in states across the nation this year