Center for Urban Research - Hotel industry employment grew by 45 percent over the decade, NYCLMIS report says

March 12, 2013

Hotel industry employment grew by 45 percent over the decade, NYCLMIS report says

Tagged: NYCLMIS, Ronnie Kauder, Lesley Hirsch, employment, Labor Market

Today, the New York City Labor Market Information Service (NYCLMIS) is releasing New York City’s Traveler Accommodation Industry: A Guide for Education and Workforce Professionals. The report was prepared for Deputy Mayors Linda Gibbs and Robert Steel and Schools Chancellor Walcott, and the Workforce Collaborative. The report findings have immediate implications for jobseekers and for the people who train and place them in jobs. Highlights include:

The hotel industry’s success is largely attributable to New York City’s popularity as a business and tourism destination. Both 2011 and 2012 saw record numbers of visitors to New York City: 50 million and 52 million respectively.
The number of hotels in New York City grew 39 percent between 2006 and 2011, compared to six percent between 2000 and 2005.
More than two-thirds of the hotels in New York City are in Manhattan (409 out of 597). Queens has the next largest number with 99, mostly near of the airports. Brooklyn is third, although it has seen the largest percentage increase in the last ten years (167%).
Employment in New York City’s hotel industry grew by 45 percent between 2001 and 2011, faster than the private sector as a whole, which grew by 4 percent.
The hotel workforce looks like New York City: it is diverse, employs people from all five boroughs, and both native- and foreign-born New Yorkers.
According to the interviewed employers, the most valued workers like to serve others, are able to solve customer problems, and are willing to work hard.
Jobseekers need perseverance to “get a foot in the door.” The application process for a job in the industry often involves online tests and multiple interviews.
Every interviewed employer reported that there are real opportunities for career advancement in the industry.
In 2011, the average industry wage was $53,045, well above the citywide median of $45,540, but below the citywide average if $61,270.
Under the current union contract, workers in unionized hotels offer wages well above what is paid to similar occupations in other industries.

For the most part, full-service hotels are unionized and most limited-service hotels – those that offer rooms with few other services or amenities – are not. Unionized hotels are concentrated in Manhattan.
According to online sources and employer interviews, lodging managers and guest service agents are the hardest to fill jobs.

These and other findings will be discussed at an event on March 13, 2013 at the CUNY Graduate Center’s Martin Segal Theater at 9:00 am. Speakers will include: Kimberly Spell, Chief Communications Officer, New York City & Company; Josh Gold, Political Director, the Hotel and Motel Trades Counci; and Lesley Hirsch NYCLMIS Director and the report's co-author.

Following a presentation of the findings by the report’s author, Ronnie Kauder, Senior Associate at the NYCLMIS, there will be a panel, moderated by Lincoln Restler, Executive Director of the New York City Employment & Training Coalition. On the panel will be representatives of industry employers, the industry association, and education providers.

The report is available here and - along with the executive summary and seven occupational spotlights - at the NYCLMIS webpage.

For more information, please contact Tanya Domi, CUNY Graduate Center Media Relations Director at tdomi@gc.cuny.edu