The American Hotel & Lodging Association has released “AHLA’s State of the Hotel Industry 2021” outlining the forecasted state of the hotel industry in 2021 and into the immediate future.
The pandemic has been devastating to the hospitality industry workforce, which is down nearly 4 million jobs compared to the same time in 2019. While some 200,000 jobs are expected to be filled this year, overall, the accommodations sector faces an 18.9% unemployment rate. In addition, half of U.S. hotel rooms are projected to remain empty in 2021.
Leisure travel is expected to return first, with consumers optimistic about national distribution of a vaccine and with that an ability to travel again in 2021.
The report found that heading into 2021, consumers are optimistic about travel, with 56% of Americans saying they are likely to travel for leisure or vacation in 2021. While 34% of adults are already comfortable staying in a hotel, 48% say their comfort is tied to vaccination in some way.
Contrary to much of the country, tourism in northwestern Wyoming saw very high numbers during the latter part of last summer.
Lodging experienced a 4.3% increase in November over the previous year, and December lodging figures continued to be higher than December of 2019 according to the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.
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