WASHINGTON, DC—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) have joined forces with more than 500 hoteliers from across the country for the associations’ two-day Legislative Action Summit (LAS). Hoteliers have come together to raise awareness with Congressional leaders about the strength of the lodging industry and its meaningful impact on communities around the country.
This is the third year AHLA and AAHOA have partnered to underscore the lodging industry’s strength and unity, with this year’s theme focusing on how hotels are creating jobs, serving guests and supporting communities.
Supporting nearly eight million American jobs, driving $600 billion to the U.S. economy each year, and contributing $170 billion in federal, state and local taxes, the impact of the hotel industry is notable. And as AHLA and AAHOA members meet with members of Congress and their staff, they will advocate for policies that encourage travel and tourism promotion, business growth, and entrepreneurial opportunities while urging more transparency on the rise of commercial activity fostered by short-term rental platforms and protecting consumers from online hotel booking scams.
LAS participants will also hear from key leaders in Washington who will offer their insights on the political climate and congressional landscape, including remarks by U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), House of Representatives Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley (D-NY), and political analyst Amy Walter.
“Located in every congressional district, hotels are interwoven into the fabric of each community across the country, creating jobs, serving guests, and supporting communities. As a guest-centric industry that focuses on opportunities and experiences, we are an industry of people, from our guests to our workers. The power of our industry lies in the opportunities hotels create for men and women seeking pathways toward upward mobility, fast-track promotions and lifelong, successful careers. Sharing those stories of promoting our employees, building partnerships with local leaders, and answering our guests’ needs is what makes us so unique as an industry and so important for members of Congress to know,” said Katherine Lugar, president and CEO, AHLA.
“Our annual Legislative Action Summit always promises dynamic opportunities for hoteliers to explain firsthand how Congress’ decisions impact their business and team members,” Lugar continued. “From urging lawmakers to request the Federal Trade Commission to study the rise of commercial operators on short-term rental platforms to protecting consumers from online hotel booking scams to promoting travel and tourism and advocating for smart immigration and workforce policies, Congress has an important role to play in creating the environment to allow small businesses to grow and create more jobs.”
Chip Rogers, AAHOA president and CEO, commented, “As Congress confronts the many challenges facing our country, hoteliers are united in advocating for our employees, our businesses and our industry. …Advocating for hoteliers in our nation’s capital is essential with all the important issues being addressed by Congress on a daily basis. This week, we’ll be talking to lawmakers about tax reform, stopping predatory lawsuits and responsible home sharing. Tackling these issues will help hotels support the eight million jobs that rely on our industry, serve guests and support their communities.”