The hospitality industry is an enormous segment of the economy. Pre-pandemic, the restaurant industry represented $863 billion in sales in the United States, with the hotel and lodging sector adding another $210 billion.

With over a trillion in sales, there is always a need for hardworking employees to meet this level of demand. But other than the need for staff, why should you consider a career in the hospitality industry? Here are seven reasons why this field deserves your consideration.

1. Schedule Flexibility

Depending on the position and segment of the hospitality industry, many people are attracted by its flexibility. Restaurants need coverage for shifts all day and all week, which means you could work evenings or weekends to free up your weekdays for school or to pursue another passion. 

In a hotel, you could even work overnight as an evening porter or concierge, leaving your days completely open.

2. Low Barrier to Entry

Unlike some industries that require a degree before you can start working, the hospitality industry is full of entry-level roles that can be your “in” to the workforce. This means you can start earning without investing huge money into education. Of course, there is still value in a hospitality degree! In fact, many people choose to work in the industry while simultaneously pursing higher education to further their careers.

Plus, the hospitality industry is big on promoting from within. That entry-level job could lead to management or higher-level position with time and hard work. 

3. Fun Perks

Many hospitality roles come with their own unique perks. In a restaurant, you may get a free meal each shift, as well as a discount to use on your days off. In a hotel or airline, you may be able to take advantage of discounted travel opportunities, like cheap flights or reduced rate hotel stays. 

Some positions are also tipped, so there’s potential to bring home extra cash for exceptional service.

4. Learn Valuable Skills

Hospitality is unique in the combination of skills you can hone while you’re working. While many industries require time management and prioritization, efficiency, customer service, cool under pressure, and attention to detail, not many combine them all into one strong skillset. 

In hospitality, you must balance the needs of the guest in front of you with your overall to-do list. Hospitality professionals are multitasking experts, able to keep a long list of tasks in their heads while keeping a pleasant smile on their faces. 

5. Job Stability

While economic downturns impact the hospitality industry along with the economy at large, restaurants and travel businesses often face a milder slump. During the Great Recession of 2008, the Dow Jones U.S. Restaurants & Bars index dropped about 13%, while the Dow Jones Total Market index fell 40%! 

While the coronavirus pandemic has shown that the industry is not recession-proof, it can often ride out moderate economic instability better than many other industries. When people have to cut back on luxuries, they often turn to the occasional meal out for a welcome respite. And when things begin to improve, hospitality tends to bounce back faster than less agile industries.

6. Employment Opportunities All Over the World

There are restaurants, hotels, and event venues just about everywhere you want to go. Even Antarctica has food service operations that serve the continent’s research stations! This means wherever your heart takes you, there will be employment opportunities for those experienced in hospitality. 

Dreaming of island life? A remote mountain inn? A sprawling metropolis? Working in hospitality gives you the opportunity to seek employment wherever people travel. In short, anywhere.

7. Meet Fascinating People

Ask anyone in hospitality about the best part of their job, and they’ll tell you it’s the people. Hospitality workers are a wonderful crew from diverse backgrounds and with vast life experience. You could work alongside a military veteran, an aspiring musician, a writer, a medical student, and a retiree all in the same shift. 

And that’s just the staff! Add in the dozens of guests and customers that you’ll meet on a daily basis, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better environment for connecting with your fellow humans.