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THE FEDERAL TRADE Commission finalized a rule on Tuesday requiring industries, including hotels, to disclose all fees upfront in advertised prices. The rule bans hotels from excluding resort fees, often labeled "junk fees," from advertised rates for short-term lodging. It takes effect 120 days after publication in the Federal Register. The rule mandates businesses to prominently display the total price to prevent "bait-and-switch tactics, such as drip pricing and misleading fees," the FTC said in a statement. Outgoing President Joe Biden said he has always prioritized families and hardworking Americans and urged his administration to focus on lowering costs. "Today, the Federal Trade Commission is doing just that by banning hidden junk fees when you book a hotel or purchase event tickets," Biden said. "We all know the experience of encountering a hidden fee at the very last stage of checkout-these junk fees sneak onto your bill, and companies end up making you pay more because they can. Those fees add up, taking real money out of the pockets of Americans."

THE U.S. HOUSE of Representatives recently unveiled the 'No Hidden FEES Act of 2023' (H.R 6543), compelling the travel industry to enhance transparency regarding so-called "junk fees." This legislation is designed to improve pricing transparency for customers seeking short-term lodging, including hotels, motels, inns, and privately-owned vacation rentals. Meanwhile, the American Hotel & Lodging Association extended its support for the bill, which was introduced by Reps. Young Kim and Kathy Castor on Friday. "As Americans grapple with persistent high inflation, the last thing families need after budgeting for trips is to be hit with costly last-minute fees," Kim said. "The No Hidden FEES Act would rectify this issue, offering cost transparency for consumers so they know the upfront lodging expenses. I will continue the fight to make life more affordable for families in Southern California and throughout our nation."

PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STATE of the Union address before Congress on March 7 touched on several issues hotel industry associations have been advocating for a while. AAHOA and the American Lodging and Hotel Association both issued responses to the speech and AAHOA held its 2024 Spring National Advocacy Conference during the week of March 14. The issues at hand include the extension of tax credits, handling of junk fees for greater disclosure and transparency and raising the federal minimum wage. During SNAC, more than 200 AAHOA leaders and members spent two days in Washington, D.C. The conference opened with a legislative learning session at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, followed by an evening Congressional Reception at the Cannon House Office Building and then a full day of Congressional meetings. "Each year we continue to see the relationships grow between our AAHOA Members and their elected officials," said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO. "Our twice-yearly advocacy conferences are quickly becoming the foundation for shaping and driving national policy, and our members are making it happen."

AAHOA MEMBERS ATTENDED a virtual briefing hosted by the Biden-Harris Administration on Wednesday, addressing issues affecting small businesses and providing an update on the current economic landscape. Senior administration officials discussed federal efforts to support small business owners, including access to SBA loans, supply chain improvements, and transparency around resort and junk fees impacting the industry. Officials included White House Senior Advisor for Public Engagement Kota Mizutani; SBA Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed; Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Karlin Gatton; and Special Assistant for Manufacturing and Industrial Policy Monica Gorman of the National Economic Council. "As highlighted by our speakers, a huge thank you to the members of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and all the business leaders working to keep our economy running," said Mizutani. "Thank you for all you do."

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