Monday, October 7, 2024 The latest job growth report has highlighted the ongoing demand for workers in the U.S. travel and hospitality sector, further emphasizing the need for an expanded H-2B visa program.
With over a million job openings in leisure and hospitality, the industry is facing a significant labor shortage, underscoring the critical role temporary workers play in sustaining operations, especially for small and seasonal businesses. Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S.
Travel Association, responded to the September jobs report by acknowledging the industry’s strength and resilience in workforce growth but stressing the urgency of addressing the worker gap. “Today’s job report points to growth in the travel industry workforce and underscores its resilience,” Freeman stated. “Still, with over a million leisure and hospitality job openings, expanding the H-2B visa program should be a priority to support the small and seasonal businesses that depend on temporary workers to meet the strong demand for travel.
” While the travel and hospitality industry continues to recover from pandemic-induced challenges, businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to hire enough staff to meet growing demand. This is particularly true for smaller operations and those reliant on seasonal fluctuations in tourism, such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, and recreational services in tourist-heavy areas. The H-2B visa program, which allows U.
S. employers to temporarily h.
