'Protect NYC Tourism Coalition' marches against hotel bill

MORE THAN A thousand hotel owners, workers and small business owners from the newly formed "Protect NYC Tourism Coalition" rallied on the steps of New York's City Hall on Sept. 12 to protest the city council's "Safe Hotels" bill. The coalition also sent a letter urging the council to reject the bill, also known as “Int. 991”, arguing that the bill threatens the sustainability of New York City's hotel and tourism industries and jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of workers.

The coalition includes members from AAHOA, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City, the Real Estate Board of New York, the Coalition for Hotel Subcontractors, the NYC Minority Hotel Association, the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers, along with other groups and stakeholders supporting New York City’s tourism industry.

First introduced by Councilwoman Julie Menin over the summer, Int. 991 is presented by supporters as a “simple licensing bill.” Opponents argue it would impose operational mandates that could drive many hotels out of business, jeopardizing 42,000 hotel jobs and nearly 260,000 jobs supported by the industry, along with billions in revenue for New York City.

AAHOA treasurer Rahul Patel, joined by AAHOA Northeast regional director Preyas Patel and Mid-Atlantic regional director Mahendra Patel, voiced industry concerns about the proposed act.

"The Safe Hotels Act was not created in good faith, or the city council would have reached out to us and our members," Rahul Patel said. "This act the city council is trying to pass will destroy our livelihoods. It not only hurts small businesses but will also harm thousands of hospitality employees in the New York City area."

He noted that hotels in Manhattan contributed over $2.3 million in state and local taxes in 2021 and $7.2 million to the GDP. These numbers demonstrate how vital small hotels are to the local economy.

"I extend my deepest gratitude to Rahul Patel, our hospitality leaders, and the hundreds of supporters who rallied today," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA’s chairman. "It is my sincere hope that the city council will listen to our voices and collaborate with us to find balanced solutions that benefit everyone. AAHOA stands ready to partner in this process."

"The Safe Hotels Act, as it stands, poses a serious threat to our members' businesses and their livelihoods and threatens to undermine that economic engine at a time when the industry is still recovering from unprecedented challenges," said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA’s president and CEO. "AAHOA is proud to stand with our industry partners in opposing this misguided proposal. We need policies that foster growth and job creation, not ones that put small business owners and their employees at risk."

‘Legislation causes irrevocable damage’

“This legislation will cause irrevocable damage and hurt thousands of guests, hotel owners, workers, and small business owners who support New York City’s hotel and tourism industry,” said Kevin Carey, AHLA’s interim president and CEO. “The economic toll of this bill will reverberate for years, forcing hotels to lay off hard-working staff, raise rates, and even permanently close. This is not a licensing or safety bill—it’s a government takeover of New York City hotels, and we will not stop fighting until it’s defeated.”

“The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers stands with New York City’s hotel owners, workers, and small businesses in opposing Int. 991,” said Andy Ingraham, president and CEO of the association. “This bill would disproportionately impact minority-owned hotels and developers, who have worked tirelessly to contribute to the city’s tourism industry and create jobs within their communities. The operational costs and regulatory burdens of this legislation threaten to undo decades of progress in creating inclusive opportunities for Black and minority hotel owners. We urge the City Council to reconsider this bill and work with us to find solutions that support economic growth and job creation, not stifle them.”

“Int. 991 is a solution in search of a problem. It imposes staffing mandates that most hotels cannot afford, forcing closures and disrupting hotel lending and transactions,” said Vijay Dandapani, Hotel Association of NYC’s president and CEO. “This bill harms the financial health of hotels and threatens the sustainability of New York’s tourism industry. The City Council should be working with us, not against us, to support job creation and economic recovery.”

“This legislation is a dagger to the heart of our city’s hotel, tourism, and entertainment industries,” said Jim Whelan, Real Estate Board of New York’s president. “It will hurt the city's economic recovery, cut jobs, and slash tax revenue. If enacted, it is yet another deterrent to investing in New York.”

“The hospitality industry could not function without family-owned businesses, first- and second-generation immigrant entrepreneurs, and small business owners who provide housekeeping and maintenance services, as well as other needs specific to the hospitality industry,” said Camilo Torres, Lumina HR’s, a Manhattan-based hospitality staffing company, chief operating officer. “Today we made it clear we are a strong, unified coalition fighting for our livelihoods. We hope this rally sends a message to the city council that they should reconsider this legislation and bring us to the table to discuss the issues we face and how we can work together to solve them.”

The coalition also emphasized the safety protocols already in place at member hotels and the industry’s commitment to ending human trafficking.

In August, New York hoteliers Mukesh and Nikul Patel formed the NYC Minority Hotel Association to oppose the proposed law, calling it “unnecessary, redundant rules that would cripple the hotel industry.”