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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 M AY 3 , 2 0 2 1 F O C U S H O S P I TA L I T Y / T O U R I S M A separate study, by the National Restaurant Association, found that res- taurants were hit harder than any other industry and "have the longest climb back" after losing 2.5 million jobs. In Maine, the hospitality indus- try logged 13 straight years of growth through 2019. en COVID hit, leading to a 26% plunge in statewide revenue to $2.26 billion in 2020, and a 25.6% drop in lodgings revenue to $799.7 mil- lion, according to research conducted for HospitalityMaine, the industry's Augusta-based nonprofit trade associa- tion. e workforce decrease was even greater, falling from 79,000 at the end of 2019 to 51,000 by the end of 2020. While other industries have also suffered, "we were the most nega- tively impacted by the pandemic, so we've got the biggest hole to fill," says Steve Hewins, who recently stepped down as HospitalityMaine CEO to head the trade association's education foundation. Data from the Maine Department of Labor reflect the same trend, showing 11,500 fewer leisure and hospitality jobs in March 2021 than a year earlier — the biggest one-year setback for any industry. Glenn Mills, a state labor econo- mist, notes that while the autumn virus surge stalled the rebound in hospitality jobs, things are starting to get back on track: "Vaccination rates are rising, and we expect the recovery in hospitality jobs will continue over the next several months," he says. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Over the past year, we've all become very familiar with home—and had time to contemplate improvements. Hammond Lumber Company can help you design that deck and rail system you've been thinking of. We'll discuss all your options, from brands like Trex, TimberTech, DuraLife, Zuri, and more. We can even refer you to reputable builders in your area. Extend your living space, and get the most out of summer: You have so earned this! Treat yourself. You've earned it. Auburn • Bangor • Bar Harbor • Belfast • Belgrade • Blue Hill • Boothbay Harbor Brunswick • Bucksport • Calais • Camden • Cherryfield • Damariscotta • Ellsworth Fairfield • Farmington • Greenville • Machias • Portland • Rockland • Skowhegan HammondLumber.com VISIT DRIVEFOREKIDS.COM Tee up hope and happiness to Maine families by DONATING BLOOD any Wednesday in May at the Portland Elks Lodge. REGISTER TODAY REGISTER TODAY! SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR BLOOD DRIVE PARTNERS HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE JOBS IN MAINE S O U R C E : Maine Department of Labor 1990 '95 '00 '05 '10 '15 April '20 Dec. '20 March '21 20K 10K 0 30K 40K 50K 60K 70K 1990 '95 '00 '05 '10 '15 April '20 Dec. '20 March '21 200K 100K 0 300K 400K 500K 600K 700K TOTAL NON-FARM HOSPITALITY