AHLA’s Kevin Carey on The NYC Council Decision to Postpone Hotel Bill Hearing

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American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) Interim President & CEO, Kevin Carey, issued a statement following the New York City Council’s decision to delay a July 30 hearing on a proposed bill that would significantly impact the city’s approximately 700 hotels and their 265,000 employees.

“Over the last ten 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. 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.”

“We want to acknowledge Councilwoman Julie Menin for listening to the hotel industry’s concerns with this bill, delaying its consideration, and agreeing to work with us on a way forward with the industry now at the table,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey.

Background

On July 18, Councilwoman Julie Menin introduced Int. No. 991, a bill proposing burdensome staffing mandates for hotels in the city. This legislation also includes regulations that would disrupt hotel restaurants, jeopardize the franchise business model, and compel some hotel owners to divest from their properties.

The bill further stipulates that hotel owners be classified as joint employers alongside hotel operators, imposing strict requirements on various hotel staffing roles.

On July 28, Councilwoman Menin decided to postpone the scheduled July 30 hearing on the bill, stating that the delay was to “allow more time for feedback before proceeding with the legislative process.” Menin expressed her intention to “collaborate with government partners, labor representatives, and industry stakeholders” during this period.