Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Associations list priorities for new federal stimulus

USTA and AHLA write Congress for relief for travel and hotel industries during pandemic

AS THE COVID-19 pandemic surges on, the U.S. hotel and travel industries have renewed their call for more federal assistance. In a pair of letters to lawmakers, industry associations are calling for financial aid to improve businesses’ liquidity as well as incentives for the public to travel.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association sent its letter to Congress on Tuesday. It focused on extending the Paycheck Protection Program and relief from commercial mortgage backed securities loans for hotels, among other things.


On July 17, the U.S. Travel Association sent its letter to legislators that also asked for more PPP funding. Additionally, USTA and AHLA asked for tax credits to encourage travel and grants to make travel safer.

The leisure and hospitality sector has lost 4.8 million jobs since February, AHLA said, more than other sectors such as construction and retail. Hotels are still staffed at less than half their pre-pandemic levels, the association said.

“Our industry was among the first impacted by the pandemic and will be one of the last to recover. We are a major economic driver, supporting millions of jobs and generating billions in tax revenue. Getting our economy back on track starts with supporting the hotel industry and tourism in general,” said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. “We need Congress to continue to prioritize the industries and employees most affected by the crisis, so that help is directed to the businesses that need it most.”

The key points of the two letters are:

PPP extension: While the “Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act” passed in June addressed several concerns USTA, AHLA and other associations had about the PPP program, both groups asked Congress to extend the program until the end of the year. They also want to qualify non-profit and quasi-governmental destination marketing organizations for PPP loans and increases in the amount of the loans.

A CMBS market relief fund: AHLA wants the fund to feature a specific focus on the hotel industry, as part of the Federal Reserve’s lending options. A group of 100 members of Congress wrote their own letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in early July asking for CMBS relief for businesses.

Structural changes to the Main Street Lending Facility: Established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security Act, the Main Street program includes three facilities for new loans, priority loans and expansion on existing loans aimed at small and medium-sized businesses with 15,000 employees or fewer and 2019 revenues of $5 billion or less. AHLA wants Congress to ensure hotel companies can access the program.

Liability protection: The associations want the government to provide a limited safe harbor from exposure liability for hotels that reopen and follow proper public health guidance.

Funding for safety: USTA is requesting up to $10 billion in federal grants to promote safe and healthy travel practices necessary for the resumption of travel.

Tax benefits: Both associations want enhancements for the Employee Retention Credit as well as tax credits for capital expenditures or expenses to meet the industry’s Safe Stay initiative.

Travel incentives: USTA and AHLA want temporary tax credits to encourage Americans to travel when its safe, to restore activity in the business meetings and events sector, including conventions and trade shows. They also want the government to increase the deductibility of business and entertainment expenses.

“You name it, this industry and its workers need it,” said Roger Dow, USTA president and CEO. “Travel businesses could not possibly have prepared for this level of catastrophe, and there’s no telling how many of the eight million jobs we’ve lost so far will remain gone for good without aggressive federal intervention to keep the industry on life support.”

More for you

G6 Hospitality RMS Program Powers Q1 2025 Growth

G6 RMS properties log 11 percent Q1 revenue gain

Summary
  • The G6 RMS program uses automation, comp tracking and strategy calls.
  • RMS properties saw 11 percent year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 and a 10 percent higher ADR.
  • Revenue-managed properties posted 11.5 percent growth through web and app channels.

PROPERTIES OF G6 Hospitality enrolled in its “G6 Revenue Management Services” program saw 11 percent year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter of 2025, more than double the rate of the rest of the portfolio. They also recorded a 10 percent higher ADR than non-RMS properties.

The RMS program uses proprietary automation tools, daily competitive set monitoring and bi-weekly strategy calls with revenue managers, G6 said in a statement. G6 is the parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peachtree Group's Residence Inn by Marriott under construction in downtown San Antonio, topping out milestone reached, June 2025

Peachtree tops out San Antonio Residence Inn

Peachtree Hotel to Open in Summer 2026 with 117 Extended-Stay Rooms

PEACHTREE GROUP HELD a “topping out” for its Residence Inn by Marriott in downtown San Antonio, Texas, marking completion of the structural phase of the 10-story, 117-room hotel. The property, co-developed with Austin-based Merritt Development Group, is scheduled to open in summer 2026.

The extended-stay hotel will be owned by Peachtree and managed by its hospitality management division, the company said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air India plane crash 2025
Photo by Sam PANTHAKY / AFP

Air India reducing flights after deadly crash

AIR INDIA WILL reduce international service on widebody aircraft by 15 percent through at least mid-July, according to media reports. The decision comes less than a week after the June 12 crash of an Air India airliner carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members in Ahmedabad, India, that killed 246 but left one survivor among the passengers.

The airline said the reduced service due to the safety inspection of aircraft and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted operations, resulting in 83 flight cancellations over the past six days, according to ABC News. Passengers can either reschedule their flights at no additional cost or receive a full refund.

Keep ReadingShow less
hihotels executive team honored for long-term service and loyalty in hospitality

Hihotels recognizes eight company leaders

EIGHT LEADERS OF hihotels by Hospitality International, Inc. are being recognized by the company for their combined 121 years of service. The company was established in 1982 as an alternative to other, established brands.

The honorees include Paul Vakharia, hihotels’ senior director of franchise development for the Northeast Region who has been with the company for 25 years. Chhaya Patel, franchise development coordinator, also has been with the company for 25 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
ICE Raid Resumes in Hotels & Farms After DHS Reversal
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Reuters: ICE resumes hotel immigration raids

ICE Reverses Decision to Pause Raids on Key Industries

U.S. IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS have reversed enforcement limits at hotels, farms, restaurants and food processing plants days after issuing them, following conflicting statements by President Donald Trump, according to Reuters. ICE leadership told field office heads on Monday it would withdraw last week's directive that paused raids on those businesses.

ICE officials were told a daily quota of 3,000 arrests—10 times the average last year under former President Joe Biden—would remain in effect, two former officials said in the report. ICE field office heads raised concerns they could not meet the quota without raids at the previously exempted businesses, Reuters reported, citing a source.

However, it was not clear why the directive was reversed.

Keep ReadingShow less