Slowing Travel Job Growth Signals Concern for Peak Summer Season

Permanent solution needed to enhance H-2B temporary worker visa program

WASHINGTON (April 7, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on the Bureau of Labor Statistics March Employment report, which saw the overall economy add 236,000 jobs in March (the lowest monthly gain since December 2020), while the leisure and hospitality sector added 72,000 jobs—well under the average monthly gain of 95,000 over the prior six months:

“The drop-off in leisure and hospitality hiring reported today is a concern as our industry prepares for the busy summer season and the need to fill 1.5 million open jobs in this sector.

“An adequately resourced travel workforce is essential to meeting demand and growing revenue in the travel industry. The federal government can help solve staffing needs by increasing the cap on H-2B temporary worker visas and permanently exempting returning workers from the cap.”

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry. Travelers in the United States are estimated to spend $1.1 trillion in 2022 (still 10% below 2019 levels). U.S. Travel advocates for policies to accelerate an even recovery across the travel industry and restore economic and job growth for this essential contributor to our nation’s success. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.