AHLA supports ‘Heroes Act’ to support the hotel industry

Friday, May 15, 2020

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) recently showcased support for various elements included in the government’s ‘HEROES ACT’ (HR 6800). The organisation mentioned that these elements would improve upon the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide help and support to small business hotel operators and also save millions of jobs in the process.

Chip Rogers, President, and CEO, AHLA said in a recent press statement that the act includes a number of important provisions that the hotel industry has long advocated for. He said that those provisions might be able to support millions of employees in the industry who have borne the brunt of the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. He mentioned that Congress can save millions of jobs and support small business hotel operators who make up more than 61% of the industry by expanding the PPP.

He added that the organisation is grateful to the leadership of both parties of the nation as they have worked through one of the most difficult economic challenges the world has ever faced. He also referred to reports provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and informed that the leisure and hospitality sector lost 7.7 million jobs in April alone. He said that in a time when the industry is facing a crisis worse than 9/11, the whole sector is engaged in a fight for survival against one of the most devastating conditions of the hotel industry ever.

He further shared that the hotel industry was among the first industries impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and might also be the last to recover. He said the important changes to PPP alongside some reasonable liability protection are essential for the survival of small business hotels providing them the ability to retain and rehire employees. He mentioned that legislation that helps hotel industry employees and supports hotel owners will ultimately strengthen the economy for everyone. He also informed that AHLA is looking forward to working with both sides of the aisle to ensure bipartisan support for swift action. The organisation aims towards passing the legislation to get the economy step towards the road to recovery.

In a time when nearly 70% of hotel employees have lost their jobs, AHLA has constantly provided support to millions of hotel employees and the tens of thousands of mostly small business hotel owners. The firm thinks that in order to keep hotels open and hotel employees on the payroll until travel demand returns, PPP measures that offer loan flexibility and extend the covered period to use loan proceeds are highly essential. The U.S. hotel industry is also planning to release a “Roadmap to Recovery” towards the end of this week by laying out the industry’s top priorities in the next funding package.

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