As of 2004, the hospitality industry was a $552 billion business, which is 2.4 % more as compared to 2003. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 61,000 establishments, including resorts, hotels, motels, RV parks, boarding houses and bed and breakfast inns provided accommodation in America as of 2004. Currently hotel occupancy rates have reached the highest level in the last ten years. This is just a quota of success achieved by the hospitality operators, whose mission is to promote the development of travel market and provide members with professional support and cost-saving resources.
Regarded as one of the leading hospitality operators, the Adventure Travel Trade Association was established to promote the adventure travel market; to represent and unify the industry by facilitating a common vision and knowledge sharing; to provide professional support and marketing resources to its members; and to share exclusive consumer research and trade.
Serving as a strategic organization for travel operators in the Adventure Travel arena, the Adventure Travel Trade Association is dedicated to fostering Adventure Travel in the world travel market, as well as providing a number of valuable services and connections to help its members succeed in business and contribute to the industry's growth. While the organization focused initially on pursuing tour operators, its refocused list is comprised currently of media companies, travel agencies, online content companies, transportation companies, travel experts, destinations and resorts.
Established by a group of fourteen airlines in 1936 in Chicago, the Air Transport Association is one of the leading hospitality operators, as well as the only organization of the principal US airlines. Throughout its history ATA has served its member airlines by: developing such industry actions that would be economically reasonable and environmentally beneficial; assisting the airline industry in providing the safest transportation system in the world; advocating fair airline taxation to foster a healthy and competitive industry. By co-operating with its members in political and technical arenas, the Association leads industry efforts to support measures that strengthen aviation security and safety.
One of the most beneficial international hospitality operators, the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education was formed in the early 1990s with the aim of developing international educational initiatives both in tourism and leisure. Currently the organization has members in over 70 countries worldwide. Its objectives remain much the same since the foundation: to encourage the students and staff exchange between member institutions; to promote links among professional bodies in tourism; to foster the development of and recognition of courses. The main activities of the organization include information services and publications, conferences, international courses and curriculum development projects.
Recognized as the only international trade association dedicated to promoting the interests of restaurant and hotel industry, the International Restaurant Association was founded in 1946 as a non-profit membership organization.
It is officially recognized by the United Nations and monitors all the international agencies on behalf of this industry.