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Industry Outlook: Hospitality
‘A GOOD PLACE TO LEARN AND GROW’
BY STACEY PFEFFER
It has been a rollercoaster ride for anyone working within the local hospitality industry ever since COVID hit Westchester in March of 2020. While several local restaurants and hotels had to close their doors, the news isn’t all doom and gloom on the hospitality front, especially as COVID cases decline. Pent-up consumer
demand for leisurely pursuits — whether that means a Michelin-rated meal or a weekend stay at a historic hotel — has resulted in a large number of open positions in the local hospitality industry.
“There’s no doubt that the pandemic hurt the hospitality sector the most,” notes Dr. Marsha Gordon, the president and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, the county’s largest business membership organization, representing more than 1,000 members from various sectors. “Omicron hit [this sector] in a really cruel way around Christmas and New Year’s when there are so many holiday parties and dinners, but we are so pleased to see people going back to restaurants and other segments of the hospitality sector,” she says.
According to the New York State Department of Labor, the hospitality and leisure industry represents almost 10% of the workforce in the Hudson Valley, and for 2021 this sector saw the largest amount of jobs gained (16,400) compared to other sectors, underscoring the fact that there is huge demand for these services.
Despite the pandemic, travel and tourism still remained
a significant driver of the county’s economy during 2020, providing revenue to support county services as well as state services. Local taxes (hotel occupancy, sales, and property) and state taxes generated by the industry were $174.1 million in 2020. Local taxes generated fell 19% over the previous year, to $103.5 million. In the last five years though, the industry contributed more than half a billion dollars to local tax coffers ($601.9 million).
“Easing of travel restrictions — coupled with pent-up demand for travel, social events, and human connection — work in our favor. This is not a light-switch moment, but rather a recovery process that we know will take time. But Westchester’s tourism and hospitality community is very resilient and prepared to nurture business back to pre-pandemic levels,” notes Natasha Caputo, director of Westchester County Tourism & Film.
Currently, the job outlook for the hospitality industry is strong, with demand for workers exceeding supply, particularly in the restaurant industry. Employers say recruiting and retaining employees will be their top challenge in 2022. Entry-level chefs at a top restaurant can expect to earn $47,920 and experienced chefs can earn $91,940 in the Hudson Valley, with a projected employment growth of 8.8% by 2028. Almost every position within the hospitality sector is expecting job growth by 2028.
34 2022 SKILLS What’s Hot. What’s Next. What’s Needed.
© Courtesy of Xaviar’s Restaurant Group