In the first quarter of 2021, there 274.5k Virginians employed in leisure and hospitality services.

According to the 1st Quarter 2021 Virginia Employment Indicators report:

At 274,500 jobs, leisure and hospitality employment experienced an 8,000 job decrease (-2.8%) from the fourth quarter 2020 despite some relaxing of COVID dining and mass-gathering rules. The industry declined by 20.0% compared to the same period in 2020. Although restaurant workers are more numerous, entertainment and tourism work was hit hardest in over-the-year job loss in March nationwide. This includes jobs in: performing arts and spectator sports; amusements, gambling, and recreation; and museums and historical sites.During the pandemic, the Northern Virginia region greatly underperformed in the industry affected most by the pandemic, which could be attributed to the loss of business travel and tourism in the Washington, DC area. The large number of professionals working from home could have contributed as well. One consolation is that the Northern Virginia region is less reliant on restaurant and hotel jobs due its economy’s large size and industrial diversity.

How many Virginians (thousands) will be employed in leisure and hospitality services in Q4 2021?

This will resolve on the basis of the 4th Quarter 2021 Virginia Employment Indicators report, which will be accessed here.