Significant Points

• Service occupations account for almost two-thirds of the industry's employment—by far the largest occupational group.
• Hotels employ many young workers and first-time job holders in part-time and seasonal jobs.
• Job opportunities should be good as low entry requirements for many jobs lead to high turnover and replacement needs.

In recent years, the hotel industry has been dominated by a few large national hotel chains. To the traveler, familiar chain establishments represent dependability and quality at predictable rates.

Increased competition among establishments in this industry has spurred many independently owned and operated hotels and other lodging places to join national or international reservation systems. This allows travelers to make multiple reservations for lodging, airlines, and car rentals with one telephone call or Internet search.