Latest news with #AHLA
Hospitality Net
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
AHLA Statement on the U.S. House-Passed Reconciliation Package
WASHINGTON - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the leading voice representing all segments of the hotel industry, today issued the following statement from AHLA President & CEO Rosanna Maietta following the inclusion of key tax provisions critical to the hospitality industry in the U.S. House-passed Budget Reconciliation package: This is a win for Main Street businesses. We commend lawmakers for including critical tax provisions in the budget reconciliation bill that will prevent a tax increase on American workers and the small businesses that are the backbone of America's hotel and lodging industry. This is a critical step to stave off the expiration of important tax provisions that will provide our members, the majority of whom are small business owners, the level of certainty they need to effectively operate their businesses. We urge the U.S. Senate to swiftly pass this legislation and send it to President Trump's desk. Additional Background AHLA supports the House's inclusion of permanency for Small Business Deduction (Section 199A) and applauds the increase of the Qualified Business Income deduction. The majority of hotel owners are bona fide small business owners who license the name and standards from nationally recognized hotel brand companies. These are the entrepreneurs who own real estate, acquire capital, employ workers and undertake financial risk. The expiration of the small business deduction would significantly increase their taxes – inhibiting their ability to reinvest back in their employees and businesses. The majority of hotel owners are bona fide small business owners who license the name and standards from nationally recognized hotel brand companies. These are the entrepreneurs who own real estate, acquire capital, employ workers and undertake financial risk. The expiration of the small business deduction would significantly increase their taxes – inhibiting their ability to reinvest back in their employees and businesses. AHLA supports the House's preservation of the Like-Kind Exchange (Section 1031). Maintaining Internal Revenue Code Section 1031, allowing for like-kind exchanges, as it currently exists, is critical. Any limits, caps or efforts to repeal the current law would significantly reduce new investments and inhibit job creation. This provision allows real estate owners to defer capital gains taxes if the proceeds are employed to purchase another property and, in the process, create new jobs, improve their community and promote economic activity. Maintaining Internal Revenue Code Section 1031, allowing for like-kind exchanges, as it currently exists, is critical. Any limits, caps or efforts to repeal the current law would significantly reduce new investments and inhibit job creation. This provision allows real estate owners to defer capital gains taxes if the proceeds are employed to purchase another property and, in the process, create new jobs, improve their community and promote economic activity. AHLA welcomes the House's extension of bonus depreciation at 100% for almost 5 years. Bonus depreciation incentivizes hotel industry members to make capital improvements that support jobs across a myriad of sectors, enhance existing properties and draw in new guests with modern updates. About the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at Rosanna Maietta AH&LA View source
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Newsweek
Hotel Guest Stunned by How Staff Responds to Outlandish Request
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A post about a hotel staff member's unexpected response to a guest's "crazy" request has gone viral on Reddit. The post, shared by John Patton (u/JBPII), has amassed more than 35,000 upvotes since it was uploaded on May 21. Patton works for a commercial aircraft spare parts supplier and dismantle company of a small town in central Ohio around 45 minutes north of Columbus. He was staying at the Residence Inn Kansas City Airport hotel in Missouri during the surprise moment described in the post. "I was on a business trip for one night, and the hotel was arranged by my company based out of Kansas City," Patton told Newsweek. In a caption shared with the post, Patton noted: "I checked in to my hotel and joked with the check-in lady that as long as my room had a bowl of M&Ms [candy-coated chocolates] with all the blue ones removed, everything would be great. She laughed and told me about some other crazy guest request." Twenty minutes later, Patton was surprised to get a knock on his hotel room door from the staff member who "handed me this." His Reddit post features an image of a bowl of M&Ms, notably missing the blue-colored ones, with a card that reads "You won't have 'the blues' while stay with us. Enjoy." Patton told Newsweek that he had checked into the hotel around 12 noon on a Wednesday and there was no one else around in the lobby. "The lady at the desk was super nice and I made the joke about M&Ms because I had heard of a famous singer demanding that in their contract," he noted. Patton said: "I thought it was an over-the-top unreasonable demand, and that's why I joked with her. She laughed and replied back with several stories from her own experience that were worse than that. It was very funny." Hotels in the United States continue to face staffing shortages. A December 2024 survey found that 64.9 percent of hotels are still dealing with staffing challenges since fallout at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2020, according to the 2025 State of the Industry report by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA). The AHLA report in 2024 found that guests ranked "staff interactions" among the top three reasons they would leave a positive review for the hotel. This year's report said that "cleanliness continues to be a top factor influencing hotel selection (beyond price and location), and is the top driver of positive experiences and reviews." This year, hotels are expected to employ over 2.17 million people, increasing total wages, salaries, and compensation by 2.13 percent, surpassing $128.47 billion, according to the 2025 AHLA report. "Even though hotels are expected to add more than 14,000 direct employees in 2025, employment levels will still fall short of 2018 and 2019 levels," the report said. Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Hospitality Net
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Hoteliers Descend on Capitol Hill for Critical Industry Discussions
This week, members of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) – the leading voice of the U.S. hotel industry – traveled from across the country to meet with congressional leaders and discuss pressing legislative priorities vital for the hospitality sector. During the ongoing Budget Reconciliation and tax negotiations, more than 250 AHLA members held meetings with lawmakers across the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. AHLA members flooded Congressional offices this week to share their on-the-ground insights and advocate for legislation to bolster the hotel industry. Over the course of our meetings across the House and Senate, we successfully conveyed the implications of tax, trade, and labor policies lawmakers are considering. It's clear that a strong tourism sector is on the radar of both Congress and the Administration. Rosanna Maietta, AHLA President & CEO AHLA members shared key concerns and significant challenges facing the U.S. hospitality industry, including the implications of tax and trade policies on hotel operating costs and travel demand. Legislative priorities critical to alleviating these pressures and protecting America's small business hoteliers, jobs, and economic growth include several tax provisions in the House Ways & Means Committee's tax portion of the Budget Reconciliation bill. These include making the Small Business Tax Deduction permanent, extending Bonus Depreciation, preserving the Like-Kind Exchange, reinstating Expanded Business Interest Deductibility, launching a second round of Opportunity Zones, and 'No Tax on Tips' to help thousands of hotel employees keep more of their hard-earned income. AHLA members also discussed measures to expand and upskill the hospitality workforce, such as adjusting the H-2B visa program cap and protecting the franchise model, which supports over half of all U.S. hotels and 2.8 million jobs. During the 'fly-in,' several policymakers received AHLA's 'Spirit of Hospitality Award' for their efforts to advance the travel and tourism industry: Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI-05), and National Labor Relations Board Chair Marvin Kaplan There's no state that appreciates the hotel industry as much as Florid. The economic impact of this industry cannot be overstated. Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) It was an honor to be presented the Spirit of Hospitality Award by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, which plays a pivotal role in facilitating tourism across the country so people can see the greatness and beauty of America. We must work together to roll back onerous regulations that create uncertainty for the industry, such as the burdensome joint employer rule, which threatens job creation and limits entrepreneurship. We must also strengthen workforce development efforts to fill the demand for skilled individuals in industries like the travel and tourism industry. By addressing these challenges, we can ensure that the travel and tourism industry can continue to grow and thrive. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI-05), Chairman of the House Education & Workforce Committee Additional information on the hotel industry's policy priorities can be found in AHLA's 2025 Policy Guide. About the AHLA Foundation AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, works to support the hotel and lodging industry's greatest asset – our people. By connecting employees, employers, and their communities, we seek to continuously nurture a culture of professional growth and belonging. When the people who work in our industry thrive, the industry thrives along with them. The Foundation is funded by grants and charitable contributions from generous individuals and organizations who want to support individuals seeking opportunities to thrive in the hotel and lodging industry. Learn more at View source
Travel Daily News
19-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
AHLA members meet Congress about hotel industry priorities
AHLA members discussed key tax and workforce provisions to protect small businesses and promote industry growth. WASHINGTON – Last week, members of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) – the leading voice of the U.S. hotel industry – traveled from across the country to meet with congressional leaders and discuss pressing legislative priorities vital for the hospitality sector. During the ongoing Budget Reconciliation and tax negotiations, more than 250 AHLA members held meetings with lawmakers across the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. 'AHLA members flooded Congressional offices this week to share their on-the-ground insights and advocate for legislation to bolster the hotel industry,' said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA President & CEO. 'Over the course of our meetings across the House and Senate, we successfully conveyed the implications of tax, trade, and labor policies lawmakers are considering. It's clear that a strong tourism sector is on the radar of both Congress and the Administration.' AHLA members shared key concerns and significant challenges facing the U.S. hospitality industry, including the implications of tax and trade policies on hotel operating costs and travel demand. Legislative priorities critical to alleviating these pressures and protecting America's small business hoteliers, jobs, and economic growth include several tax provisions in the House Ways & Means Committee's tax portion of the Budget Reconciliation bill. These include making the Small Business Tax Deduction permanent, extending Bonus Depreciation, preserving the Like-Kind Exchange, reinstating Expanded Business Interest Deductibility, launching a second round of Opportunity Zones, and 'No Tax on Tips' to help thousands of hotel employees keep more of their hard-earned income. AHLA members also discussed measures to expand and upskill the hospitality workforce, such as adjusting the H-2B visa program cap and protecting the franchise model, which supports over half of all U.S. hotels and 2.8 million jobs. During the 'fly-in,' several policymakers received AHLA's 'Spirit of Hospitality Award' for their efforts to advance the travel and tourism industry: Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI-05), and National Labor Relations Board Chair Marvin Kaplan 'There's no state that appreciates the hotel industry as much as Florida,' said Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL). 'The economic impact of this industry cannot be overstated.' 'It was an honor to be presented the Spirit of Hospitality Award by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, which plays a pivotal role in facilitating tourism across the country so people can see the greatness and beauty of America,' said Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI-05), Chairman of the House Education & Workforce Committee. 'We must work together to roll back onerous regulations that create uncertainty for the industry, such as the burdensome joint employer rule, which threatens job creation and limits entrepreneurship. We must also strengthen workforce development efforts to fill the demand for skilled individuals in industries like the travel and tourism industry. By addressing these challenges, we can ensure that the travel and tourism industry can continue to grow and thrive.'
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Los Angeles Votes for $30 Minimum Wage
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Los Angeles lawmakers have advanced a measure that would make the city home to the nation's highest minimum wage, approving a plan to raise hourly pay to $30 for tens of thousands of tourism workers by 2028, the year the city is set to host the Olympic Games. The Los Angeles City Council voted 12-3 on Wednesday to approve the proposal, which applies to hotels with more than 60 rooms and businesses operating at Los Angeles International Airport. Newsweek reached out to Councilmembers John Lee, Traci Park and Monica Rodriguez, who opposed the bill, as well as Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who supported the bill, outside of regular working hours via email for comment. Why It Matters The tourism industry is one of the top five employers in Los Angeles County, supporting more than 540,000 Angelenos, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA). However, there have been growing concerns about the sector, which has not fully rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Los Angeles only saw 79 percent of the number of international visitors it had in 2019, according to the AHLA. The association warned that "slower-than-anticipated pandemic recovery" coupled with other factors, including the wildfires, have massively impacted the tourism industry. Industry groups argue that the wage plan will add pressure to businesses already struggling with staffing and a drop-off in tourism. Protesters rally outside Los Angeles City Hall on July 30, 2024, to demand a wage increase for tourism workers ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Protesters rally outside Los Angeles City Hall on July 30, 2024, to demand a wage increase for tourism workers ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Hans Gutknecht/The Orange County Register via AP What To Know The measure would result in a 48 percent wage increase for hotel workers and a 56 percent rise for airport employees over the next three years. The minimum wage for large hotel workers is currently two dollars higher than the standard minimum wage in the city, at over $18. The wage increases would be brought in gradually, starting with $22.50 per hour in July 2025, increasing to $25 in 2026, $27.50 in 2027, and finally $30 in July 2028. Several other amendments are also being proposed to the existing Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance. The new ruling would also enforce training requirements. Employers must provide six hours of paid training annually to each employee, covering safety, worker rights, harassment, discrimination and other topics. The ordinance would also instruct hotel employers to provide $8.35 per hour for their workers' health care by July 2026. What People Are Saying The Hotel Association of Los Angeles, in an October 2024 letter to the Chair of the Economic, Community Development and Jobs Committee: "The proposed Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance is misguided and its economic impact analysis utterly incomplete. The proposed ordinance calls for a dramatic increase in hotel wages within 60 days of adoption. Increasing hourly wages to $24.40 with an additional $8.35 for health benefits would result in a 69% increase in payroll in just two months. No industry can afford that financial uptick in such a short period of time." The American Hotel and Lodging Association's 2025 report on tourism in Los Angeles: "Los Angeles' tourism industry has historically been a top contributor to the city's economy. However, the compounded effects of a lagging pandemic recovery, the devastating wildfires, soaring operational costs, and decreased international travel have brought the hospitality industry to an inflection point. "If the situation does not improve soon, the industry anticipates more permanent hotel closures and worker layoffs, which would impact thousands of residents, cost the city millions in tax revenue, and jeopardize the success of upcoming major international events such as the World Cup and Olympics." What Happens Next The council will hold a second vote on the proposal next week. If approved again, the ordinance will take effect and begin phasing ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.
