Travel Industry Adds Jobs for Sixth Consecutive Month

According to the U.S. Travel Association’s analysis of the Labor Department’s employment report, travel employment continued to edge up by adding 4,200 jobs in May.

Considering total nonfarm job growth of 223,000 and the unemployment rate edging down to a historic 3.8 percent, employment growth in the travel industry was moderate. Hiring was focused in the food and beverage industry, with employment in other travel sectors—including lodging and airlines—remaining mostly flat.

In the first five months of the year, the industry has gained 22,000 jobs. The consistent though modest increases signal positive travel job growth heading into the summer travel season.