Small and seasonal businesses across popular US tourist destinations are bracing for a potential shortfall in their summer workforce, as demand for international student workers may outstrip supply this year. The Summer Work Travel (SWT) program, part of the BridgeUSA cultural exchange initiative, typically brings around 100,000 full-time university students to the US on J-1 visas annually. These students fill essential roles in hospitality and tourism during peak season.
Kasey Simon, president of the designated sponsor company United Work & Travel, told Business Insider that while business participation remains steady, the requested number of supplemental workers could be 5 to 10% lower overall. "Smaller seasonal businesses typically rely on the international workforce to supplement their domestic workforce," Simon explained, noting these workers are vital in the early and late weeks of the season when American students are unavailable.
Visa Process and Geopolitics Create Uncertainty
Simon identified several factors creating uncertainty in the pipeline. Enhanced vetting and screening processes for US visas, including reviews of online presence, can cause delays. "Hold-ups at a US embassy could mean student workers arrive later than scheduled, forcing businesses to operate at limited capacity," he said. Business owners often provide lodging, so empty rooms represent accumulating costs.
Shifting geopolitical relationships also impact participation. "There are also certain countries, depending on their relationship with the United States, that may not open appointments or be willing or able to issue as many visas as they once had," Simon stated. He cited Russia, once very popular, as less active now, and China, which was extremely popular pre-COVID, as still regaining its former participation levels.
Economic and Operational Impact on Businesses
The potential shortage has a direct operational and financial impact on businesses. "If it's a hotel, they may not be able to service all of their rooms on a daily basis or may not be able to open their restaurant, which would be reduced revenue," Simon said. "The impact is direct." These businesses are concentrated in tourist hotspots like Ocean City, Cape Cod, the Texas coast, and the Florida Panhandle.
Student workers perform a wide range of jobs, including as lifeguards, bartenders, theme park attendants, retail staff, and restaurant servers. Their absence can strain operations during the busiest months. Furthermore, Simon noted that the students' own economic considerations play a role: "If our economy is not as strong or powerful as it once was, it may impact an individual's willingness to participate," as many depend on their summer earnings.
Cultural Exchange Remains a Core Value
Despite the challenges, Simon expressed optimism about the program's resilience and value. "We're at a point now where we have children of past participants coming on our program. It is so valuable. Not just for the seasonal businesses, but for the United States as a whole," he said. He added that experienced US employers have learned to expect and manage uncertainty.
"They're prepared for things like that, and the employers who are properly educated in the program embrace it," Simon concluded. "They make it work." He remains confident the program will continue, stating, "There are a significant amount of challenges, but year after year, the program has proven its value."