San Francisco Tourism Industry Continues To Grow
Last year, San Francisco hosted nearly 17 million visitors, and visitor spending reached an all time high with more than $9.38 billion spent in local businesses. And according to information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the City by the Bay may surpass the numbers taken from 2013.
The Leisure and Hospitality industry in San Francisco has seen job increases every month this year and hourly wages are far higher than the national average. While many of the industry's occupations, such as tour and travel guides, do not require a college degree - concierges and entertainment attendants, people with a minimum of an undergraduate degree or added years of experience typically receive a higher salary.
Jobs that may require a bachelor's degree or higher in the travel industry may include categories such as Meeting, Convention and Event Planners, Food Service Managers and Lodging Managers, with average salaries in these occupations ranging from $57,000 to $71,000 annually. And, of course, top-level executive positions in the San Francisco travel industry command even higher annual salaries.
Students interested in entering a local academic program that is related to the travel industry have a number of options. For instance, the City College of San Francisco has an associate's program in the School of Business, Fashion and Hospitality, San Francisco State University offers a Hospitality and Management program and the University of San Francisco also has a Hospitality Management program. The University of Phoenix can also provide an excellent career pathway for students, featuring undergraduate business degrees with an emphasis in the public sector and service sector, as well as an associate's degree in hospitality, travel and tourism.
As San Francisco continues to be frequently mentioned as one of the world's greatest destinations, the travel industry is expected to benefit for years to come. And, as the industry continues to grow, so will the demand for new skilled workers in the field.
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.