Contrary to much of the still stagnant US job market, hiring in the tourist industry is on the upswing, though it’s a slow uptake.
"We’re seeing an improvement in jobs in travel and tourism. It’s one of the healthiest sectors in the United States," said Adrian Cooper, chief executive of Oxford Economics, a London-based company with offices in New York City.
In the first half of 2011, the travel industry added 16,000 jobs a month, on average. That slowed, however, to an average 2,000 new jobs a month from July to November, said David Huether, senior vice president for economics and research, US Travel Association. A low for travel employment was reached in December of 2009 but the job rate has risen since then.
Two factors drive travel jobs, Huether told the New York Times.
International travelers to the United States support one of every eight travel jobs, while domestic travel supports the rest.
The recovery, however, has been early and "tentative," said Henry H. Hardveldt, a well-regarded travel consultant.
"It’s a recovery but not an impressive recovery," said Bjorn Hanson of the Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports management at New York University.
The prognosis for 2012 is "very positive," said Joseph McInerney, president of the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
By David Wilkening
