2012 Economic Census

Sector 72
Accommodation and Food Services

FAQs for this sector
List of all forms in this sector

This section provides information about census coverage and reporting for establishments in the Accommodation and Food Services sector. It includes answers to frequently asked questions about this sector and its census forms.

Establishments Covered

Accommodation and food services establishments provide customers with lodging and/or prepared meals, snacks and beverages for immediate consumption. The sector includes both accommodation and food services establishments because these two activities are often combined in the same establishment. NAICS classifies establishments in the Accommodation and Food Services sector with numbers that start with 72. The Economic Census covers all accommodation and food services establishments with paid employees that operated during all or part of 2012.

Census Mail Package

Accommodation and food services establishments with paid employees will receive a census mail package that may include several types of materials. The materials are similar in content but customized to make reporting easier for different groups of accommodation and food services establishments. Each establishment will receive either a census form or a classification form. In addition, establishments that receive a census form will also receive an Information Sheet and may receive a Supplemental Instruction flyer. Establishments that receive a classification form will not receive additional materials.

Information Sheets provide general information about the census and instructions for reporting selected items on the census form. Single-establishment businesses should have Information Sheet RT-S_I_12, and multi-establishment businesses should have Information Sheet RT-M_I_12.

Census Forms describe each data item for accommodation and food services establishments and provide instructions and formats for reporting each item. Accommodation and Food Services forms are numbered AF-72xxx. Forms are tailored to industry groups, and four separate forms are available for use by different kinds of accommodation and food services establishments.

Supplemental Instruction Flyers provide more detailed instructions for reporting census data by selected food services establishments. A Supplemental Instruction flyer is associated with census form AF-72202 and is labeled AF-72202_I_12.