Accommodation is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors in the tourism industry.
In 1997, approximately 173,000 workers were employed in hotels and other lodging operations in Canada. Between 1986 and 1996, accommodation services experienced a substantial growth of 39 per cent. Some reasons for this growth include:
- Extended demand beyond traditional seasons (e.g. conferences during summer at ski resorts)
- Growth of large hotel chains and increased interest in vacation and/or time-share concepts
- Increased global interest in Canada as a destination
Those who are looking for employment opportunities in accommodation services can take advantage of this considerable growth. New jobs are continually being created, possibilities are growing for accelerated career advancement, and opportunities for positions in differing regions and types of establishments are also expanding.
A British Columbia Perspective:
- Anticipated labour demand by 2015 is 19,150 new workers.
- Projected rate of annual employment growth is 3.0 per cent.