The tourism and hospitality industry took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps more than any other industry. This situation was evident not just in Canada but throughout the world. Simply put: people stopped traveling. Stopped staying in hotels. Stopped dining out. And stopped going out for entertainment! As a result, employment opportunities in the hospitality management, resort management, and travel sectors declined significantly.
Even after government restrictions were lifted, many were hesitant to resume pre-COVID patterns, particularly with respect to travel and tourism - at least, initially. Fortunately, recent, and growing trends indicate that the industry is back on track to becoming a lucrative and growing job market again.
In this article, we will briefly touch on what is included in the hospitality industry, the market trends showing that the hospitality industry is recovering and why the right preparation can get you that critical first career-track position in this industry. For additional insight into entry-level professional jobs in the hospitality industry, and tips on how to advance your career, take a look at our article, “Exploring Entry-Level Professional Job Opportunities In The Hospitality Industry.”
What is Included in the Hospitality Industry?
"Hospitality Industry" is an umbrella term that encompasses several business sectors that have at their heart, customer experience and service: Food and Beverage, Lodging, Recreation, Travel and Tourism, and Meetings and Events. It is a diverse discipline with many notable career paths, including:
- Hotel Manager
- Resort Manager
- Conference & Event Manager
- Catering or Event Sales Coordinator
- Tour Guide Owner/Operator
Hospitality industry trends as Of 2022
Tourism industry employment dropped 15% to 23% because of outbreaks of COVID-19. But as of late 2022, things are coming back. When comparing August 2022 employment indicators to the same month in the previous year, significant improvements in employment levels can be seen across most of the hospitality business sectors.
Industry statistics show promising signs of recovery after the pandemic's downturn:
- In 2022, it is anticipated that hotel room demand and income should return to pre-pandemic levels
- Hotel occupancy is expected to rise, averaging 63.4% for the year
- By 2023, 86.9% of meetings and events will have returned, up from 58.3% in 2022.
Consumer confidence in staying at hotels rose from 25% in May 2020 to 68% in August 2022, meaning the days of empty hotel rooms are running out. In addition, attending large-scale in-person events rose from 21% to 57% in the same period. That means the lowered demand for hospitality industry workers - from servers to restaurant managers, hotel clerks to hotel managers, event coordinators to tour guide operators - will not last and the industry needs qualified people to work at the entry-level and advance in the hospitality industry.
factors in favour of jobseekers interested in the hospitality industry
As of today, there are over 11,000 hospitality management positions on Indeed Canada and more than 60,000 hospitality jobs in the industry. The lost hospitality jobs of 2020 and 2021 are returning.
Another notable prediction for the industry's rise from the pandemic is the chance of better compensation due to the persistent shortages of workers at the lower end of a hospitality job's pay scale. Since the industry suffered a big blow in employment rate, experts suggest that an effective way to attract workers back to the industry is to provide them with better job packages, including higher pay, safer working conditions, and improved benefits.
The pandemic's influence on the temporary decline of the hospitality industry is undeniable, but, as it recovers, businesses focused on hospitality will have an increased demand for entry-level positions as well as management positions that require more education and training.
Why is the Hospitality Industry A Great Career Choice?
With hospitality bouncing back, those with the right combination of education, skills, and aptitude can develop a rewarding and prosperous career.
Post-Covid there are many opportunities opening up as former workers and managers in the industry have moved on to other occupations. With the industry recovering and demand for trained staff quickly growing, wages are increasing, and opportunities are expanding. If you like people and are interested in the chance to explore, the social and travel opportunities can be amazing.
Working in hospitality settings can provide unique opportunities to live in vacation destinations such as mountain or beach resorts in addition to building careers associated with outdoor activities, special events, and sports and gaming venues. From a career growth perspective, there is long-term opportunity to coordinate or manage, work with a large company, or start your own business in the hospitality industry.
Get the Right Training with a Hospitality Business Management Diploma
The best way to land a position in this industry is to get a Hospitality Business Management Diploma. Through it, you will get the skills, knowledge, and training you need to set you apart from other applicants.
Sundance College is committed to job readiness. All our programs include practicums and job placement resources, as well as soft skills such as resume and interview preparation and job search techniques.
In addition, we will prepare you to obtain hospitality industry certifications that are recognized by employers throughout the world.
Visit our website to find out more about our Hospitality Business Management Diploma program or connect with us here and one of our Career Advisors would be happy to help you explore if this is the right career path for you. If you're an entrepreneur at heart but interested in growing your career in a different industry, our Commerce: General Business Management Diploma program may be more in line with what you're looking for.