The tourism employment in food services and drinking places in the US stood at 1.77 million persons in 2023. Over the years, the employment figures have shown variability, with notable declines in 2015 and 2018, but also periods of steady growth in subsequent years. The year-on-year variations highlighted minor fluctuations, with a consistent uptick from 2019 to 2023 indicating a stable recovery trajectory. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2018 to 2023 stood at 0.41%, underscoring a modest but sustained increase in employment.
Looking forward, the forecasted data suggests continued gradual growth in tourism employment, reaching 1.81 million persons by 2028. The projected 5-year CAGR of 0.29% points to a slow yet positive growth trend. Future trends to watch for include the impact of economic cycles, changes in tourism patterns, advances in automation within the food service industry, and how shifts in consumer behavior post-pandemic may influence employment levels.
