Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Congress passes COVID-19 relief bill, but Trump threatens veto

The bill contains PPP funding and more, but the president wants higher payments to individual Americans

A $900 BILLION COVID-19 relief bill has passed in Congress and hotel associations say it contains funding desperately needed by the industry. However, Tuesday evening President Donald Trump cast doubt on whether he would sign the bill.

The Senate and House both passed the bill Monday, bringing to around $3 trillion the total amount of aid the federal government has issued during the pandemic, according to the Tax Foundation. The bill itself is attached to a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and will include payments to qualified individuals of up to $600 each along with expanded unemployment benefits.


For hotels and other businesses, the relief bill offers $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, $20 billion for new economic injury disaster loan program grants and extension and expansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit through July 1, 2021, while increasing the refundable payroll tax credit from a maximum of $5,000 to $14,000.

President Trump was expected to sign the bill into law, but instead Tuesday night he took to Twitter to threaten to veto it.

“The bill they are now planning to send back to my desk is much different than anticipated,” Trump said. “It really is a disgrace.”

He went on to list a series of items supposedly included in the omnibus bill with the implication that they represented waste, including millions of dollars in foreign aid, money for federal facilities such as the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Museum that are currently closed and more. He also said the bill would give more money to undocumented workers than Americans.

Trump insisted that Congress increase the amount of the stimulus payments to individuals to $2,000 each, or $4,000 for couples. He also wanted an extension of a tax deduction included for restaurants that would otherwise sunset in two years.

“Congress found plenty of money for foreign countries, lobbyists, and special interests while sending the bare minimum to the American people who need it,” the president said. “I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000 or $4,000 for a couple. I’m also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and to send me a suitable bill or else the next administration will have to deliver a COVID relief package.”

While the package is only a short-term solution and more will be needed soon in the beginning of the new year, AAHOA, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the U.S. Travel Association endorsed it. The associations said the bill would save many hotels from having to shut down by the end of the year.

"For hoteliers, the most significant components in this package include a second round of PPP funding to help keep employees on payroll during the most difficult time of year,” said Cecil Staton, AAHOA president and CEO. “We also particularly appreciate that congressional leaders understood the unique challenges faced by hoteliers and provided an increase in the PPP loan amounts to our industry. In addition to addressing payroll challenges, this bill also includes critical banking relief to enable hoteliers to defer mortgage payments for the near term.”

Staton also cited the year-long extension for troubled debt restructuring and the EIDL program funding as vital to preventing hotel closings and foreclosures.

"In these most challenging times for hotels in our nation’s history, we appreciate the bipartisanship displayed by congressional leadership and members across the country. We welcome this spirit to continue into the new year,” Staton said. “Today is a big step in the right direction to helping in the survival of the lodging industry. We look forward to continuing this engagement to ensure our voices continued to be heard.”

Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO, cited the same elements of the bill in his statement.

“This short-term relief package is a vital step toward helping the hotel industry survive this crisis. The proposed measure provides temporary relief over the next few months and will help thousands of hotels stay open and retain employees,” he said. “We look forward to working with Congress and the new administration on a longer-term stimulus package that will ensure our industry survives and is well positioned to help the country recover economically once the public health threat subsides.”

USTA, which has issued statements pressing for the relief bill recently, also welcomed the bipartisan agreement and passage of the bill.

“Seeing this bill make it across the finish line is a huge relief after months of struggle,” said Roger Dow USTA president and CEO. “This legislation is a lifeline for businesses and workers who have been hanging on by a thread. More than four million travel jobs have been lost this year, and this package includes long-needed provisions to help employers keep their lights on—a second draw on PPP funds for the hardest-hit businesses, eligibility for non-profit destination marketing organizations, assistance to airports and concessionaires as well as airlines, and enhancements to the Employee Retention Tax Credit, among many others.”

More for you

Chart showing decline in U.S. extended-stay hotel occupancy and RevPAR in May 2025

Report: May fifth month for drop in extended-stay occupancy

Summary:

  • Extended-stay occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth straight monthly decline; ADR and RevPAR also dropped for a second consecutive month.
  • May marked 44 straight months of supply growth for the segment at 4 percent or less, with annual growth below the 4.9 percent long-term average.
  • Extended-stay room revenues rose 0.5 percent, while total industry revenue grew 0.9 percent, led by segments with little extended-stay supply.

EXTENDED-STAY HOTEL occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth consecutive monthly decline, exceeding the 0.7 percent drop reported for all hotels by STR/CoStar, according to The Highland Group. Extended-stay occupancy was 10.5 percentage points above the total hotel industry, at the lower end of the long-term average premium range.

Keep ReadingShow less
Auro Hotels Showcases India Culture at TCMU Exhibit

Auro unveils 'India Cultural Corner' for children

Summary:

  • Auro Hotels opened the India Cultural Corner, where children can check in and explore Indian culture at The Children's Museum of the Upstate.
  • Families can engage with community art, activities and storytelling about daily life in India.
  • The exhibit runs through May 2026, offering interactive learning on Indian culture.

AURO HOTELS RECENTLY opened the India Cultural Corner at The Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, South Carolina, offering a look into Indian stories for American families. The exhibition, held at The Grand Geo Hotel and running through May 2026, includes a hotel desk where children can check in and explore Indian culture through interactive activities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. Firms Lose $2.4 Trillion by Skimping on Business Travel

Report: Business travel gaps cost U.S. firms $2.4T

Summary:

  • U.S. companies risk losing more than $2.4 trillion in sales due to underinvestment in business travel, says GBTA.
  • An 8.3 percent T&E increase could drive a 6 percent sales gain, despite post-COVID virtual meeting tools.
  • Current T&E spending is $294 billion—$24 billion short of the $319.1 billion needed for peak profitability.

U.S. COMPANIES ARE missing more than $2.4 trillion in potential sales due to underinvestment in business travel, according to a Global Business Travel Association report. Despite a post-pandemic rebound, travel and entertainment spending remains $66 billion below 2019 levels.

Keep ReadingShow less
Newly renovated Marriott Saddle Brook hotel in New Jersey, now managed by Stonebridge Cos.

Stonebridge to manage Marriott in Saddle Brook, NJ

Summary:

  • Stonebridge Cos. has added the Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service portfolio.
  • The renovated property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.
  • Located 20 miles from New York City, it is near the Meadowlands Sports Complex, Garden State Plaza and Hackensack University Medical Center.

STONEBRIDGE COS. RECENTLY added the 244-room Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service managed portfolio. The property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arizona SpringHill Suites Added as 9th DST by Peachtree

Peachtree adds AZ SpringHill Suites as 9th DST

Summary:

  • Peachtree Group added the 128-key SpringHill Suites Phoenix West Avondale in Avondale, Arizona, its ninth Delaware Statutory Trust offering.
  • The hotel, opened in August 2024, is positioned to benefit from Avondale’s population and economic growth.
  • Peachtree’s DSTs offer tax deferral for investors reinvesting proceeds from appreciated real estate.

PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY added the 128-key SpringHill Suites Phoenix West Avondale in Avondale, Arizona, structured as a Delaware Statutory Trust. This marks the company’s ninth DST offering since launching the program in 2022.

Keep ReadingShow less