The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between gaining recognition from others and career development of hotel employees. Although the study of career development has increased markedly in the past few years, little attention has been paid to the relationship between recognition from others and career development in organizations. Using samples from 534 hotel employees in Japan, structural equation analysis found that recognition from supervisors and customers had a significant impact on three career development dimensions. Conversely, recognition from colleagues failed to influence any dimension of career development. The authors discussed implications of these results for future research and practice.