On Sept. 1, the hotel industry will celebrate National Hotel Employee Day to honor the nearly 2 million employees who work in America's hotels. Top hotel industry groups—including the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers and the Latino Hotel Association—will recognize National Hotel Employee Day today and throughout the weekend along with hoteliers across the country.
In 2024, hotels are projected to pay employees a record total of $123 billion in wages, salaries and other compensation. The American Hotel & Lodging Association has released a state-by-state analysis that details how hotels contribute to employment and economic growth around the country.
“The nearly two million people employed by America’s hotels are the heart and soul of this industry. Their talent and drive create memorable visits for millions of guests every year,” AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey said in a statement. “This National Hotel Employee Day, we thank them for their service and encourage others to explore a career in our vibrant and growing industry.”
"At AHLA Foundation, we support hotel employees at every step of their career to help them find a permanent home in our industry,” said AHLA Foundation President Anna Blue. “On National Hotel Employee Day and throughout the year, our work is to champion the hotel industry one career at a time.”
“AAHOA members are proud to employ over one million dedicated individuals across the nation, who are the driving force of the hospitality industry,” said Asian American Hotel Owners Association Chairman Miraj S. Patel. “The hoteliers we represent know firsthand that this industry only succeeds because of the commitment of staff who work directly with guests. Today and every day, we honor their unwavering commitment to excellence, their role in creating unforgettable guest experiences, and their significant contributions to our communities.”
“We put a high value on the professionals who make this industry thrive day-in and day-out, and we hope everyone finds time to thank the hotel employees that create warm, welcoming stays all around the country,” said National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers President, CEO and Founder Andy Ingraham. “Our industry only succeeds when our staff succeeds.”
“At the heart of hospitality are people who care, and we’re so glad to work with so many warmhearted professionals who have made a career in our industry,” said Latino Hotel Association President & CEO Lynette Montoya. “On this third annual National Hotel Employee Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate the hard work hotel employees do every day.”
How to Celebrate
As part of its National Hotel Employee Day tool kit, AHLA shared a list of ways hoteliers could celebrate their teams on National Hotel Employee Day:
- Place a “guest book” in the hotel lobby encouraging patrons to write a note of appreciation to hotel workers.
- Create an “Employee Spotlight” posterboard/bulletin board.
- Compile fun photos and fun facts about employees to showcase in the hotel lobby.
- Encourage elected representatives recognize National Hotel Employee Day on their social media platforms.
- Host an employee event and capture a group picture to share on social media. Use the hashtag #HotelEmployeeDay
- Plan a coworker and/or management-to-staff “thank you” event where co-workers can share experiences and thank one another.
To learn about hotel career opportunities and search for jobs, visit thehotelindustry.com.
To learn more about National Hotel Employee Day, visit www.ahla.com/day.