AHLA urges Congress to guard shoppers, federal staff; spur lodge hiring

Congress is contemplating bipartisan payments to create lodging payment transparency, forestall human trafficking, develop the lodge workforce, and minimize crimson tape

• The American Lodge & Lodging Affiliation (AHLA) urges U.S Congress to move laws selling payment transparency and countering human trafficking within the lodge business.
• Different proposed laws goals to deal with the labor scarcity within the lodge sector and regulate unreported revenue within the short-term rental business.

The American Lodge & Lodging Affiliation (AHLA) this week referred to as on the U.S Congress to contemplate vital laws designed to guard shoppers from undisclosed charges throughout their lodge reserving course of. The enchantment, made via a letter to Home and Senate leaders, comes because the 118th Congress nears its conclusion on January 3, 2025.

Rosanna Maietta, AHLA President & CEO, urged lawmakers to advance the No Hidden FEES Act handed by the Home or the Senate’s Lodge Charges Transparency Act. Each payments intention to introduce a uniform, clear nationwide customary for necessary lodging payment disclosure, defending shoppers from hidden fees.

Maietta additionally inspired the adoption of the HOTEL Act, a bit of laws aimed toward fostering anti-human trafficking applications in accommodations frequented by federal staff on enterprise journeys. The AHLA has a historical past of advocating for client and visitor safety insurance policies and has lately led initiatives to ascertain a federal customary for lodging payment transparency.

As well as, the AHLA Basis’s No Room for Trafficking initiative has been helping hoteliers in figuring out and curbing cases of human trafficking since 2019.

Maietta’s letter additionally implored Congress to contemplate the Closing the Workforce Hole Act and the Purple Tape Discount Act. The previous is designed to assist hoteliers navigate the nationwide labor scarcity, whereas the latter goals to account for appreciable unreported revenue within the short-term rental business.

“These commonsense, bipartisan insurance policies are a win-win for hoteliers, staff, and shoppers. From rising the workforce, to defending shoppers, stopping human trafficking, and slicing crimson tape, we encourage lawmakers to assist their swift passage,” AHLA President & CEO Rosanna Maietta mentioned.

The lodge business performs a major function within the U.S financial system, supporting practically 1 in 25 American jobs. This 12 months, accommodations are anticipated to pay staff a report $123 billion in wages, salaries, and different compensation, producing practically $83.4 billion in tax income.

For extra background info on these items of laws, go to AHLA’s letter to congressional leaders right here.