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AAHOA OPPOSED THE Los Angeles City Council's recent proposal to raise hotel worker wages to $30 per hour, plus $8 for healthcare, citing a flawed economic impact study that misjudges the industry's ability to absorb the increase. AAHOA members, including a delegation of women hoteliers, testified before the council, warning of the proposal's impact on smaller, independent hotels, the association said in a statement. AAHOA Vice Chairman Kamalesh "KP" Patel, a California hotelier, testified on Oct. 16, addressing the hospitality industry's ongoing labor challenges. "I have a very serious concern about the study presentation. The study is majorly flawed," Patel said. "There is zero understanding of the differences between hotels-high-end, full-service and limited-service. These people are asking for their fair shake. We are asking to be heard properly. Limited-service properties do not offer the same services as full-service hotels and should not be treated the same." AAHOA argues that the study overlooks the unique challenges of smaller, limited-service hotels, ignoring their tight margins and operational constraints. A sudden wage increase to $30 per hour, plus healthcare costs, could result in layoffs, service cuts or closures, AAHOA said.

THE LOS ANGELES City Council declared Wednesday, Sept. 4, as "AAHOA Day," recognizing association members' role as entrepreneurs, job creators and contributors in the Greater Los Angeles Area. More than 100 AAHOA members attended the council meeting, where Councilmembers John Lee and Traci Park paid tribute to the contributions of local hoteliers to the city's development. "It is an honor to see our work recognized by the L.A. City Council," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA's chairman. "AAHOA Members have consistently engaged in advocacy that supports the hotel industry, and we are grateful for this acknowledgment of our efforts. I commend Greater Los Angeles area regional director Naresh Bhakta and Northeast Los Angeles Hotel Owners Association president Ray Patel for their hard work and dedication in leading these efforts, and all the AAHOA Members who joined for this special event." The recognition highlights the association's recent efforts to address challenges in the hotel industry, including revising the proposed "Hotel Land Use and Replacement Housing Requirements" and transforming a mandatory homeless voucher program into a voluntary one, AAHOA said in a statement said. The association also advocated for a carve-out for limited-service hotels in the proposed minimum wage hike.