Group items tagged

A NEW GROUP, led by two Indo American hoteliers, has formed to oppose the New York City Council's proposed "Safe Hotels Act," otherwise known as Intro 991. The new group, the NYC Minority Hotel Association, joins other associations including AAHOA, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Hotel Association of New York City in saying the proposed ordinance would damage the city's hotel business. The bill, originally proposed by Councilwoman Julie Menin on July 18 and revised on Aug. 2, would require hotels to obtain a license in order to operate in the city. "The application term would be two years, and there would be an license fee of $200. Hotels would be required to maintain continuous front desk coverage and large hotels would be required to have continuous coverage by at least one security guard," the city says on its website. "All hotels would be required to maintain the cleanliness of each guest room. The licensee would be required to directly employ their core employees, subject to enumerated exceptions. Hotels that violate the license conditions would be subject to civil penalties."

NEW YORK CITY Mayor Eric Adams signed the Safe Hotels Act on Nov. 4, requiring hotels across the five boroughs to obtain operating licenses. The act, sponsored by City Council Member Julie Menin, faced opposition from industry groups like AAHOA and the American Hotel and Lodging Association and was revised twice before passing. The new law, also called Intro. 0991, establishes stricter standards on safety, staffing, cleaning and licensing to enforce protections for workers and guests, according to the mayor's office. "Our top priority from day one has been to keep people safe, and that includes protecting workers and tourists at our city's hotels," Adams said. "That's why we are expanding protections for the working-class New Yorkers who run our hotels and the guests who use them. The Safe Hotels Act ensures our hotels are safe, healthy, and clean, enabling our tourism industry to thrive and create jobs. This is a win for working people, the tourism and hotel industry, and all New Yorkers."

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U.S. hospitality industry recently rejected the New York City Council's revisions to the proposed hotel licensing bill, which include a new licensing structure, direct employment of housekeeping and maintenance staff, and a ban on subcontracting key operations. The American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Hotel Association of New York City objected to the amendments, warning of potential closures and layoffs in the city's hotel sector. The bill, known as the Hotel Safety Act, originally proposed by Councilwoman Julie Menin on July 18 and revised on Aug. 2, seeks to introduce staffing and operational mandates that AHLA considers unnecessary. "The city council's discussions regarding the Hotel Safety Act continue to exclude those who will be most affected by the legislation-hotel owners, management companies, sub-contractors and tens of thousands of hotel workers," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "It is imperative that all stakeholders have a real seat at the table. If this is a matter of public safety and crime, as has been claimed by Councilwoman Menin and the bill's proponents, let's review the facts and statistics to see what picture they paint."

THE NEW YORK City Council postponed a hearing, originally scheduled for July 30, on the "Safe Hotels Act" bill in response to protests from industry associations and hotel owners. The American Hotel & Lodging Association and AAHOA argued that the bill would disrupt their members' businesses and significantly harm the city's nearly 700 hotels and approximately 265,000 employees. The associations welcomed the delay, allowing more time for feedback before the legislative process continues. "Over the last 10 days, NYC's hotel industry and the tourism economy have rallied to speak with one voice and resoundingly make clear that the Hotel Licensing bill introduced in the City Council has the potential to devastate New York City's hotel industry," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "We are grateful for the support of our members, hotel industry coalition partners, and our allies in the restaurant and real estate community for helping to avert an economic disaster in New York City that no one wants."

HUNDREDS OF HOSPITALITY professionals gathered at City Hall to oppose Intro 991, the "Safe Hotels Act," highlighting its detrimental effects on NYC hotels, subcontractors, and small businesses. This follows last month's protest, which drew more than 1,500 attendees. Intro 991, despite being framed as a safety measure, imposes costly mandates that threaten the survival of the city's hotels, risking over 265,000 jobs and billions in tax revenue, according to industry associations. Representatives from the American Hotel & Lodging Association and AAHOA were among the protesters. "Intro 991 targets a single industry and will inflict sweeping harm on the hotel sector, the economy, and hotel guests," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "The bill will have devastating, unintended consequences for New York City's tourism and hospitality industries, forcing many hotels and small businesses to close. We urge the city council to reconsider and find real solutions that protect both safety and livelihoods." Since the legislation was introduced in July, AAHOA members have reached out to the council, urging them to reconsider the act. AAHOA Northeast regional director Preyas Patel, past chairwoman Jagruti Panwala, former young professional director Purvi Panwala and AAHOA member Mitesh Ahir addressed the council after the event.

MORE THAN A thousand hotel owners, workers and small business owners from the newly formed "Protect NYC Tourism Coalition" rallied on the steps of New York's City Hall on Sept. 12 to protest the city council's "Safe Hotels" bill. The coalition also sent a letter urging the council to reject the bill, also known as "Int. 991", arguing that the bill threatens the sustainability of New York City's hotel and tourism industries and jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of workers. The coalition includes members from AAHOA, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, the Real Estate Board of New York, the Coalition for Hotel Subcontractors, the NYC Minority Hotel Association, the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers, along with other groups and stakeholders supporting New York City's tourism industry. First introduced by Councilwoman Julie Menin over the summer, Int. 991 is presented by supporters as a "simple licensing bill." Opponents argue it would impose operational mandates that could drive many hotels out of business, jeopardizing 42,000 hotel jobs and nearly 260,000 jobs supported by the industry, along with billions in revenue for New York City.

THE NEW YORK City Council passed the controversial Safe Hotels Act, also known as Intro. 991, on Wednesday, despite strong opposition from industry groups like AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The council's Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection approved the bill, requiring hotel operators to obtain a license to operate in New York City. The associations argued that the bill, introduced by Councilwoman Julie Menin on July 18, will have a damaging impact on New York's hotels and economy, particularly minority-owned businesses. AAHOA said the revisions made during the legislative process fail to address industry concerns. "While we acknowledge the passage of the Safe Hotels Act and the attempt to accommodate smaller properties, this revision still falls short of addressing our broader concerns with the legislation. Hoteliers of all sizes deserve the flexibility to manage their operations effectively to ensure efficiency and guest satisfaction," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman. "The unintended consequences of this act will disproportionately affect minority-owned businesses, stifling entrepreneurship and innovation in the hospitality sector."

MORE THAN EIGHT in ten hotels in the U.S. experienced difficulties in operations due to supply chain disruptions, according to a survey. Nearly three in four hotel operators say the disruptions are negatively impacting their business revenue. The American Hotel & Lodging Association conducted the survey among more than 500 AHLA members during Nov. 8 to 22. More than half, 52 percent, of respondents said that the problem became worse over the past three months, and 74 percent said supply chain issues are having a negative impact on business revenue. The impact on operations could have repercussions for employment, underscoring the need for targeted federal relief for hotel employees, such as the Save Hotel Jobs Act, according to AHLA. "Hotels have a complex supply chain that requires regular procurement of a wide range of goods and services each day. And whether it's production backups or shipping delays, supply chain disruptions are compounding hotels' existing problems and increasing operating costs during an already tough time," said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. "This survey highlights just how widespread these challenges are for hoteliers. That's why now is the time for Congress to pass the Save Hotel Jobs Act, so hotel employees can get the relief they need during these difficult times."

DESPITE SOME REVISIONS, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, AAHOA and the NYC Minority Hotel Association remain opposed to New York City's hotel licensing bill, citing concerns about significant economic harm to small, family-owned, immigrant and minority-owned businesses. However, the Hotel Association of New York City dropped its opposition after securing changes to the bill, which requires operators to obtain a license. New York City Councilwoman Julie Menin's original bill faced strong backlash from operators, who argued that the measure, presented as a way to address unsafe and unsanitary conditions, was actually intended to favor unionized hotels. A hearing on the bill is set for Oct. 9, with a positive deal paving the way for its passage. "We are thrilled to announce major progress on an agreement for the Safe Hotels Act! We will be hearing the bill on Oct. 9 and look forward to a productive hearing," Menin wrote on X. In July, Menin promoted her bill as a measure to crack down on crime in hotels.

SITEMINDER, THE HOSPITALITY software platform led by CEO Sankar Narayan, and IDeaS recently launched the "Dynamic Revenue Plus" revenue management system that enables hotels to access live market intelligence and quickly act on their bookable inventory, pricing and distribution strategies. This mobile-first solution allows any hotel to optimize revenue based on market demand, unlike traditional RMS, which are often limited to select hotels. Dynamic Revenue Plus employs data from SiteMinder's platform, encompassing 120 million annual hotel bookings, and will soon be enhanced with pricing recommendations from IDeaS, the companies said in a joint statement. "We're committed to democratizing revenue management and bringing the benefits of dynamic, demand-based pricing to hotels across the globe," said Klaus Kohlmayr, IDeaS' chief evangelist and development officer. "This partnership offers hotels of all sizes and operating models a viable option to avoid losing revenue due to outdated manual practices." The integration of IDeaS' dynamic pricing capabilities with SiteMinder's distribution platform and market intelligence will help hotels of all sizes, including those with limited resources, with robust revenue management and quick market access, the statement said. It will initially be available to hotels in Australia and New Zealand, expanding to other markets in 2025, the companies said.

DONALD TRUMP WILL return to the U.S. presidency for a second, non-consecutive term in January, making him the first to do so since Grover Cleveland. Hotel associations such as AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association were quick to offer congratulations. In September, both groups were in Washington, D.C., to advocate for legislation important to the industry. Some of the proposed legislation that AHLA is supporting include: The Closing the Workforce Gap Act would replace the arbitrary annual cap of 66,000 available H-2B temporary visas with a new, needs-based system. Extending a pass-through tax deduction, 199A, which is set to expire in 2025 and provides tax relief to franchisees and other hotel small businesses. Maintaining the like-kind exchange, section 1031, which allows hoteliers to defer capital gains taxes when they sell one property if they roll the proceeds into the purchase of a larger one. According to AHLA, the exchange helps create new jobs and contributes to economic growth. The Hotel Fees Transparency Act and the No Hidden FEES Act would establish a single and transparent standard for mandatory lodging fee display and an even competitive playing field for hotels, short term rentals, online travel agencies, and metasearch sites.

ABOUT 78 PERCENT of global travelers place high quality service above all else when booking a hotel, according to a global survey by IHG Hotels & Resorts' voco hotels. Cleanliness and other basic needs also rank highly, but the way hotel staff approach guests during their stay is very important, and travelers want to feel comfortable, both physically and in themselves. "Just like travel has changed, consumers expectations have too," said Will Yell, VP luxury and upscale conversion and affiliate brands at IHG. "With nearly half of travelers stating they want to be valued as an individual, a one-size-fits-all approach to hotel service no longer resonates with travelers." Travelers also are ready to reconnect post-pandemic, with six out of 10 craving connection, interaction and/or conversation more during their travels, compared to pre-pandemic, the survey said. That leads them to want more connection with hotel staff. "As many as 65 percent of travelers think hotel staff should act in a friendly manner towards guests and half said they want to be able to talk to staff and vice versa in a friendly, conversational manner, rather than overly formal or personal. Nearly half (48 percent) of travelers agree that a friendly, approachable, and personalized experience is more important than ever following the pandemic," the survey said.

THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED "Halting of Trafficking and Exploitation in Lodging" Act would encourage federal employees traveling for business to choose hotels with anti-human trafficking programs. The legislation also would ensure that the U.S. government's preferred accommodations for conferences and employee travel are committed to training staff to recognize, prevent and respond to human trafficking. The bipartisan HOTEL Act, introduced by Reps. Chris Smith and Raja Krishnamoorthi on Sept. 19, gained support from anti-trafficking organizations and lodging associations, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Protecting All Children from Trafficking and Hope for Justice. Smith, who has authored five laws to combat human trafficking, argued that hotels are key locations for identifying and addressing sex and labor trafficking.

A U.S. SENATE committee recently passed a bipartisan bill aimed at achieving pricing transparency for hotels, short-term rentals, and online travel platforms. However, the Senate failed to advance the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, drawing criticism from the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation's approval of the Hotel Fees Transparency Act 2023 comes amid criticism of several hotel chains for lacking transparency in displaying room charges. AHLA called it an important step toward a more transparent booking process and a level playing field across the lodging industry. The bill, introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, on July 31, now awaits a full Senate vote.

THE U.S. SUPREME Court has "vacated as moot" a case that experts in the hospitality industry said could have set a precedent making it harder to file a "tester lawsuit" against hotels for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. However, in its decision the court said it may still in the future address the core issue of the case, whether a person can file an ADA lawsuit against a hotel even if they have no intention of staying at that hotel. The case, Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer, was originally filed by Deborah Laufer against Acheson Hotels in Maine. Laufer had sued saying the hotels in the case had failed to state on their websites whether they had accessible rooms for the disabled. "After a lower court sanctioned her lawyer, Laufer voluntarily dismissed her pending suits, including her case against Acheson Hotels, LLC, and filed a suggestion of mootness in this court," the court said. "Though Laufer's case is moot, the circuit split on the issue briefed and argued in this court is very much alive."

A LAWSUIT FILED in federal court in Washington state alleges that STR, owned by commercial real estate information researcher CoStar Group, along with several major hotel companies conspired to inflate luxury hotel rates. The seven individuals named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit seek to make it a class-action filing on behalf of every person who stayed at the defendants' hotels from February 2020 until the present for an unspecified amount. CoStar and hotel companies including IHG Hotel & Resorts, Marriott International and Hyatt Hotels Corp., entered an exchange of "competitively-sensitive information about their prices, supply, and future plans" in violation of the antitrust provisions of the Sherman Act, according to the lawsuit. STR and most of the other defendants in the suit did not respond to requests for comment in time for this article, but a spokesperson for IHG said the company could not comment on pending litigation. "Teddy Roosevelt passed the antitrust laws to prevent titans of industry from price fixing in smoke-filled rooms," Steve Berman, the plaintiffs' lead attorney told Reuters, calling the defendants' conduct the "modern equivalent." The alleged price fixing happened in major cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Denver, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. The lawsuit focuses on STR's "Forward STAR" product that was expanded into many of those markets in April after launching 17 of the country's 25 largest hotel markets, including Las Vegas, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston and Phoenix.

STR FILED A motion to dismiss a lawsuit that claims it, along with several major hotel companies conspired to inflate luxury hotel rates. The research firm said in the motion that the seven individuals named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit failed to show a knowing conspiracy to fix prices through STR's "Forward STAR" program in violation of federal antitrust laws. The lawsuit, filed in February in federal court in Washington state, alleges that STR, owned by commercial real estate information researcher CoStar Group, and hotel companies including IHG Hotel & Resorts, Marriott International and Hyatt Hotels Corp., entered an exchange of "competitively-sensitive information about their prices, supply, and future plans" in violation of the antitrust provisions of the Sherman Act, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs seek to make it a class-action filing on behalf of every person who stayed at the defendants' hotels from February 2020 until the present for an unspecified amount. However, STR's motion claims it fails to provide evidence of any illegal actions and is mistakenly part of a current legal trend.

SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS of the proposed Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2023 say it is needed to protect the rights of workers to organize under labor unions. However, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and others claim the PRO Act puts an undue burden on small businesses, including hotels. The PRO Act would authorize penalties against employers that interfere with employees' efforts to organize, according to Democratic Rep. Robert "Bobby" Scott of Virginia, one of the co-sponsors of the bill. Also, the bill would facilitate collective bargaining agreements, close loopholes that allow employers to misclassify employees as supervisors and independent contractors. Other aspects of the PRO Act include protection for employees that experience retaliation for trying to organize a union, ensures that workers can collect "fair share" fees and authorizes a private right of action for violation of workers' rights. It also prevents employers from interfering in union elections or holding captive audience meetings. "Regrettably, for too long, workers have suffered from anti-union attacks and toothless labor laws that undermined their right to form a union," Scott said. "As a historic number of Americans put their support behind labor unions, Congress has an urgent responsibility to ensure that workers can join a union and negotiate for higher pay, better benefits, and safer workplaces."

THE U.S. HOUSE of Representatives passed the bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025, mandating that hotels and short-term rentals disclose total booking costs upfront. The bill, introduced by Representatives Young Kim (R-California) and Kathy Castor (D-Florida), received support from industry groups such as AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. AAHOA commended the passage, noting that the association "has long advocated for fairness and transparency in pricing and believes this legislation marks a significant step toward ensuring travelers have clear, accurate information when booking accommodations." "Transparency is key to building trust with our guests and to ensuring a level playing field across the hospitality industry," said Kamalesh "KP" Patel, AAHOA's chairman. "AAHOA will always champion policies that promote fairness and empower consumers to make informed decisions. This is an issue that transcends party lines, as today's vote powerfully demonstrates. We are grateful to lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in the House for passing this bill."

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."