More than 15 million jobs await Filipinos who want to work in top-rate hotels and restaurants in the United States, Europe and other countries in Asia, with about 158,000 hospitality and leisure jobs needed in the US alone. Labor requirements rose after hotel occupancy levels grew by 3.4 percent in 2010, a positive sign that the industry is recovering from the global recession.

In a report released by the Asian School of Hospitality Arts (ASHA), the leading hospitality school in the Philippines, the local industry is expected to grow 11 percent this year, which is also the figure provided by the Asian Tourism Association.

With this growth, more five-star hotels and restaurants would need additional hotel, food and beverage managers, baristas and hospitality staff. These are supervisorial and skilled positions which Filipinos are qualified to fill in.

ASHA director Angie Blanco said Filipinos are most-sought after when it comes to these positions. Top five-star hotels hire more from the Philippines because Filipinos are highly qualified, trust-worthy and hard-working. Filipinos are more qualified because most are HRM (Hotel and Restaurant Management) graduates.

“We have thousands of Filipinos in the hospitality and leisure industries which can benefit from the recovery of the industry after a slump in 2009. Entry levels in these positions are high. We are in the best position to tap the hospitality job markets because of our high competency especially as hotel and restaurant managers, baristas and hotel staff,” Blanco said.

Hospitality-related jobs command competitive pay rates. For hotel managers, the average daily wage is $50 per hour or about P2,300 (P46=$1) per hour.

In the US, baristas earn $10 per hour or about $100 a day. This translates to almost P100,000 per month. Filipino chefs, meanwhile, are being paid more than P150,000 a month.

Based on the ASHA report, hotel occupancy rates in the Asia-Pacific rose from 15.3 percent to 63.1 percent, the average daily rate increased by 8.6 percent to $125.52, and revenue per available room jumped 25.2 percent to $79.24. This, Blanco said, is based on the STR Global report.

Shanghai in China experienced the largest occupancy increase, rising from 55 percent to 71.7 percent, followed by Beijing (65.3 percent), Hong Kong (78.3 percent) and Osaka, Japan (77.3 percent). Malaysia posted a positive 40.4 percent.

In the Philippines, improvements in the tourism industry generated close to 3 million additional jobs, according to the data released by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). As of May 2010, a total of 48,048 jobs were generated in Central Philippines, Metro Manila and Tagaytay alone. The hospitality outlook in the Philippines remains bright, says Blanco, as private investors continue to have a bullish attitude in the country.

Blanco said domestic tourism alone hiked 2009 air traffic by about 25 percent. OAG, a reputable body monitoring the global air industry, shows that seat capacity increased by 9 percent or an additional 1.2 million to a total of 15.3 million seats in Asia-Pacific alone. Worldwide, seat capacity increased by 6 percent and added 20.5 million seats to a total 335.5 million.

Lodging demands in the first quarter of 2010 increased by 5.3 percent over the first quarter of 2009. Blanco says if this trend continues, expect the hospitality and leisure-related job market to further improve in the next few years. In fact, Blanco added, 2011 will see a 7.8 percent growth in the industry.

“The employment of hotel management staff is expected to grow just as fast as the average managerial position for all sectors through 2014. More opportunities are predicted to be available because many experienced managers will be leaving the industry to pursue other interests or through retirement. The better and higher education that is obtained, the more plentiful the opportunities will be,” Blanco said.

ASHA has several campuses aside from the newly-launched Antipolo campus in partnership with Seven Suites Hotel Observatory: ASHA Quezon City, in partnership with the Orange Place Quezon City; ASHA San Juan, in partnership with the Orange Place San Juan; ASHA West Avenue, in partnership with TCB West Avenue, and ASHA Tagaytay, in partnership with Summit Ridge Tagaytay.

ASHA now offers courses that will enhance your skills for you to be prepared in the world’s hospitality industry. Enrolment is now ongoing until October. For inquiries, call 506-7007 or 217-5444, send e-mail to angiesd.ashaschool@yahoo.com or visit the Web site at www.asha.edu.ph.