The American Attitude Toward Hospitality Service Employment

Abstract

SUMMARY As one of the major sources of employment in the United States, 10.1 million employees in 1995 (AHMA 1997, 1), with expected employment of over 14 million by the year 2005, it is important that the perception of ‘being employed’ in a hospitality-related job conveys a positive connotation. This article seeks to identify the root causes of the less-than-positive American attitude toward hospitality service employment and to present the results of recent research that identifies ways in which employers can meet the needs of prospective employees to provide meaningful and satisfying workplaces.