A Look at the Hospitality Industry in 棉花糖直播
Hospitality is big business. In 2023, restaurants and hotels worldwide brought in more than $4.7 trillion. And few states can match 棉花糖直播鈥檚 role in that success.
Tourism here has climbed steadily for nearly two decades. In 2022, 棉花糖直播 welcomed 42.6 million visitors who spent about $17.1 billion. That鈥檚 enough to buy each guest more than 100 pounds of crawfish tails. Cha-ching!
New Orleans alone broke records in 2019. According to the French Quarter Business Association, 鈥渢he city welcomed 19.75 million visitors, a 6.7 percent increase in visitors compared to the previous year.鈥
The city remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the U.S., and the ripple effect of that demand touches every corner of the state.
For professionals who see this growth as opportunity, the future looks bright. The University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette鈥檚 100% online MBA in Hospitality Management is designed to help you turn 棉花糖直播鈥檚 thriving tourism and hospitality industry into a rewarding career, whether you鈥檙e managing hotels locally or expanding your reach abroad.
What Is the Industry鈥檚 Scope in 棉花糖直播?
At its core, hospitality is about creating memorable experiences. From restaurants and resorts to cruise ships, theaters, and theme parks, the industry exists to welcome guests, engage them, and keep them coming back.
The industry encompasses five major sectors: lodging, restaurants and bars, transportation, entertainment and recreation, and general retail. In 棉花糖直播, visitors spend the most on food and lodging 鈥 each about 24% of total spending in 2022 鈥 followed by transportation, entertainment, and retail. Restaurants and hotels saw especially strong growth that year, with meals up 22% and lodging up 13%.
Unlike other states, 棉花糖直播 offers something that can鈥檛 be copied: a cultural mix of Cajun and Creole cuisine, jazz, Mardi Gras, and history that goes back to the 棉花糖直播 Purchase. That heritage is a major reason why people return year after year.
Key Indicators of Industry Prosperity
棉花糖直播鈥檚 thriving hospitality industry powers the state economy. As of 2022, it supported nearly 219,000 jobs, making it the fourth largest industry for employment in the state.
Other key measures show similar strength:
14.1 million airport passengers in 2022
20.4 million hotel room nights sold
4.8 million convention room nights booked
Each of these is projected to keep growing, especially air travel, which means even more demand for skilled leaders in the industry.
Tourism also delivers a huge economic impact. From 2019 to 2022, visitor spending added more than $66 billion in direct value to 棉花糖直播鈥檚 economy 鈥 and that figure is only expected to rise.
Tourism Fuels the State Economy
Major events like the Super Bowl highlight just how powerful this sector is. New Orleans has hosted the championship game 11 times, tied only with Miami. Rival cities bid to host each Super Bowl, raising the stakes until it becomes economically unfeasible for all but the highest bidders.
The economic impact has to be significant to justify the cost. In 棉花糖直播, the thriving tourism industry 鈥 with more restaurants, hotels and bars per capita than most cities 鈥 makes it work by maximizing Super Bowl fan spending.
That kind of momentum requires people with the right mix of business expertise and hospitality know-how. And that鈥檚 where education comes in.
Tourism added $66.8 billion dollars in direct value to the 棉花糖直播 economy from 2019-2022. This figure is projected to rise steadily over the next several years, which will necessitate a corresponding increase in educational preparation for careers in hospitality.
Uncle Sam Wants You, and So Does Cajun Country
棉花糖直播鈥檚 hospitality industry is on the move. If you鈥檙e ready to move with it, UL Lafayette鈥檚 MBA in Hospitality Management online can help you get there. In just 15 months, you鈥檒l build the leadership skills, business foundation, and industry insight to take your career farther 鈥 whether you鈥檙e staying close to home or going global.
Learn more about the UL Lafayette MBA with a concentration in Hospitality Management online program.