THERE WAS A sharp drop in U.S. hotel performance in the last week of October as anticipated ahead of Halloween, according to STR. However, the comparable Halloween week in 2019 saw a relatively worse performance.
Occupancy was 58.9 percent for the week ending Oct. 30, down from 63.9 percent the week before and a 5.7 percent drop from the same period in 2019. ADR for the last week of the month was $127.70, down from $134.14 the week before and up 1.5 percent for the same period in 2019. RevPAR decreased to $75.28 from $85.74 the week before. It was reduced by 4.3 percent when compared to the same period two years ago.
“Even with a drop in performance levels from previous weeks, comparisons with the matching week in 2019 improved because Halloween that year fell on a Thursday and created a more significant disruption in business travel and groups,” STR said.
Only Tampa, among STR’s top 25 markets, recorded an occupancy increase over 2019. Occupancy was 65.7 percent during the period, an increase of 4.8 percent. The market also reported the largest increases in ADR, up 18.2 percent to$131.57 and RevPAR shot up 23.9 percent to $86.43 when compared to two years ago.
Oahu Island reported the steepest occupancy decline from 2019 during the week, down 42.2 percent to 46.5 percent.
According to STR, the largest RevPAR deficits were in San Francisco/San Mateo, reduced 49.6 percent to $96.22, followed by Oahu Island, which dropped 46.6 percent to $96.09, during the last week of the month.
President Donald Trump will meet Congress as a shutdown looms.
Democrats say they are ready to negotiate a bipartisan deal.
Thousands of federal jobs and the U.S. travel economy are at risk if a shutdown occurs.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP will meet Congressional leaders on Monday after Senate Democrats rejected a Republican stopgap spending bill to fund the government until Nov. 21. The U.S. Travel Association recently warned a government shutdown could cost the travel economy $1 billion a week.
Democrats want spending bills to reverse Trump’s Medicaid cuts, while Republicans want healthcare addressed in broader budget talks, according to Al Jazeera.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are expected to meet Trump at the White House.
“If it has to shut down, it’ll have to shut down. But they’re the ones that are shutting down government,” Trump told ABC News.
Democrats shifted the blame to Trump but also kept the door open to negotiations.
“President Trump has once again agreed to a meeting in the Oval Office,” the Democratic leaders said. “As we have repeatedly said, Democrats will meet anywhere, at any time and with anyone to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people. We are resolute in our determination to avoid a government shutdown and address the Republican healthcare crisis. Time is running out.”
The government will shut down Wednesday if Congress doesn’t pass a short-term spending bill. The Senate could vote Monday on an extension Democrats previously rejected, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The White House warned that thousands of government jobs could be at risk if the government shuts down at midnight Tuesday. In a memo to federal agencies, the administration said Reduction-in-Force plans would go beyond standard furloughs, according to POLITICO.
Trump reportedly warned Sunday of widespread layoffs if the government shuts down this week.
“We are going to cut a lot of the people that … we’re able to cut on a permanent basis,” he said.
More than 100,000 federal employees could lose their jobs as early as Tuesday if the government shuts down, India’s Times Now reported.
A shutdown would disrupt federal agencies, including the TSA and hurt the travel economy, USTA CEO Geoff Freeman wrote in a Sept. 25 letter to Congress.
A recent Ipsos survey cited in the USTA letter found 60 percent of Americans would cancel or avoid air travel during a shutdown. About 81 percent said shutdowns harm the economy and inconvenience travelers and 88 percent said Congress should act across party lines to prevent one.
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The H-2B visa program protects U.S. jobs and wages, according to AHLA citing a study.
It allows hotels and resorts to meet travelers’ needs while supporting the economy.
It provides foreign workers for seasonal jobs when domestic workers are unavailable.
THE H-2B VISA program does not harm U.S. jobs or wages but increases pay and supports the labor force, according to an Edgeworth Economics study. Citing that study, the American Hotel & Lodging Association said the program enables hotels and resorts to meet travelers’ needs while supporting the workforce and economy.
The Edgeworth study for the H-2B Workforce Coalition found the program allows businesses to hire foreign workers for seasonal jobs when domestic workers are unavailable. It showed no evidence that increases in H-2B visas reduce U.S. employment or wages. Instead, each H-2B worker supports three to five local jobs and areas with more H-2B workers saw wages grow 1.6 percent faster.
“Areas that hired more H-2B workers under the higher visa cap saw greater job and wage growth among U.S. workers,” said Steve Bronars, partner at Edgeworth Economics, citing findings consistent with an earlier analysis by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Ashley McNeil, AHLA’s vice president of federal government affairs and chair of the H-2B Workforce Coalition, said the new analysis underscores the H-2B program’s clear value to local communities.
“The hotel industry, which is still 200,000 workers short compared to pre-pandemic levels, relies on legal guest worker programs to augment our workforce, particularly to address seasonal demands,” McNeil said. “Access to the H-2B visa program has been critical in allowing hotels and resorts of all sizes to meet travelers’ needs, while supporting the local workforce and economy.”
The program has also helped businesses manage peak-season labor shortages, easing the workload for full-time employees. Landscaping accounts for nearly 40 percent of certified H-2B workers. Hotels and motels account for 8.67 percent, support activities for forestry 6.3 percent and seafood processing and packaging 5.65 percent.
“This study reaffirms what our members have long recognized: despite extensive recruitment efforts, there remains a critical shortage of U.S. workers willing or available to fill temporary positions that are currently being filled by H-2B workers,” said Arnulfo Hinojosa, COO of the Federation of Workers and Employers of America and vice chair of the H-2B Workforce Coalition. “H-2B workers allow seasonal businesses to operate at a higher capacity and create more U.S. jobs.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump recently signed a proclamation raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 annually, a move that could affect Indian professionals in the U.S.
AAHOA’s FNAC focused on SBA loans, visa fees and Brand USA funding.
The association hosted a reception for members who donated $1,001 or more to its PAC, which supports advocacy on Capitol Hill and in state capitals.
The event featured SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler of Georgia.
AAHOA’s FALL NATIONAL Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 16 to 17 focused on expanding Small Business Administration loan access, repealing the Visa Integrity Fee and restoring Brand USA funding. The biannual conferences bring hotel owners together each spring and fall to meet lawmakers and advance their priorities in federal policymaking.
The members engaged lawmakers to ensure hotel owners’ views were included in federal decision-making, the association said in a statement. This year’s event featured SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler of Georgia, home to AAHOA’s headquarters.
"Our members operate in every congressional district and their impact is felt in communities nationwide," said Kamalesh “KP” Patel, AAHOA chairman. "FNAC is about ensuring lawmakers understand what hotel owners are experiencing on the ground—what's working, what's not and what's urgently needed. Whether expanding SBA loan access through the STRONG/LIONs Acts or supporting tourism, we advocate for policies that strengthen small businesses and support long-term industry growth."
The association also hosted a reception for members who donated $1,001 or more to its political action committee, which enables AAHOA to advocate for members on Capitol Hill and in state capitals nationwide.
Patel said the PAC gives AAHOA members influence where it matters most—in Congress and state legislatures nationwide.
"Every dollar contributed strengthens our ability to protect hotel owners' interests, shape smarter policies and ensure our industry continues to thrive for years," he said.
Day 1 – Advocacy education
Loeffler outlined the SBA’s role in providing loans, counseling through 1,000 Small Business Development Centers and federal contracting.
"I thank you for what you do in your local communities," Loeffler said. "It's jobs, it's opportunity, it's economic growth, it's also the cultural heartbeat that's small business, so thank you for your leadership."
She also discussed efforts to combat fraud, improve loan programs, reduce regulations and highlighted $4 billion in disaster recovery loans and initiatives supporting manufacturing and innovation.
"Thank you for being in Washington to make sure people hear your voice and appreciate the work you all do," she said. "The Small Business Administration is here for you. We're going to be stronger. We already are stronger and we will be offering more programs that help real growth, whether it's around technology, lending, business counseling, or disaster loans. We're focused on all aspects of making small businesses stronger. That's a commitment you have from President Trump, me and our entire team, SBA."
The evening concluded with a Congressional Reception, where AAHOA members had the opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers. Attendees included Democratic Rep. Judy Chu of California, Republican Rep. Neal Dunn of Florida, Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin, Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, and Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan. The event provided a forum for discussions on key industry issues, policy priorities, and ways to strengthen collaboration between hotel owners and legislators.
Day 2 – Pushing for reforms
AAHOA members met with members of Congress and staff to discuss industry priorities on the second day, focusing on stability, competition and support for small business owners.
Top policy priorities:
Support H.R. 4153, the STRONG Act and S. 901, the LIONs Act, to increase SBA 7(a) and 504 loan limits from five million to ten million dollars.
Repeal the Visa Integrity Fee to boost international tourism and economic growth.
Restore and expand Brand USA funding to drive tourism, revenue, and job creation nationwide.
Additional priorities included S. 1838 and H.R. 3881, the Credit Card Competition Act; H.R. 4366, the Save Local Business Act; H.R. 4393, the Dignity Act; H.R. 4323, the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025 and H.R. 4442, the CHARGE Act, Catalyzing Housing and American Ready Growth and Expansion Investments.
"Our nearly 20,000 members own 60 percent of U.S. hotels and contribute over $370 billion to the national GDP—proof that when hotel owners speak, they are speaking for our economy," said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA President & CEO. "Advocacy is not just talking—it is our economic footprint in action. By engaging directly with policymakers at FNAC, we're ensuring hotel owners not only survive but thrive. That's a win for communities across the country."
In March, AAHOA’s Spring National Advocacy Conference focused on raising SBA loan limits through the LIONs Act, supporting tax reforms, advocating for the Credit Card Competition Act and addressing the labor shortage.
AHLA’s survey finds reduced hotel development and renovation plans.
Only 8 percent of property owners are moving forward with new investments.
Survey participants included 387 property owners and operators.
ABOUT 32 PERCENT of U.S. hotel owners and operators are delaying development projects and 24 percent are scaling back plans, according to a recent survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. About 8 percent have canceled projects entirely.
“Hotels are eager to invest in their properties and communities but rising costs and uncertain demand are forcing many to put projects on hold,” said AHLA President and CEO Rosanna Maietta. “It’s been a tough year for hotel operators, especially our small business owners. As Congress gets back to work, we’ll focus on advancing policies to spur travel, ease operational pressures and provide our industry the certainty it needs to grow, create jobs and strengthen local economies nationwide.”
The workforce challenges further compound pressures, with nearly half of the respondents, 49 percent, reporting understaffed properties. On the demand side, leisure travel continues to decline. Thirty percent of hotels reported declines in completed leisure stays, while 26 percent saw drops in upcoming bookings compared with the same period last year.
Business, group and government travel also showed weakness, with 15 to 17 percent of properties experiencing decreases in bookings.
The AHLA survey, conducted between Aug. 21 and 29, included responses from 387 property owners and operators across the U.S., representing all hotel segments.
In another recent survey by the Hospitality Asset Managers Association, more than 70 percent of respondents expect a 1 to 3 percent RevPAR increase in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Howard Johnson is marking its 100th anniversary with fried clam–shaped soaps.
The soaps pay homage to an iconic HoJo menu item.
Available at select hotels and for online purchase starting Oct. 3.
HOWARD JOHNSON BY Wyndham marks a century with one of its most famous menu items, the fried clam strip. The brand is introducing limited-edition HoJo’s Original Fried Clam Soap, available at select Howard Johnson hotels across the U.S. and for online purchase beginning Oct. 3.
Designed to resemble the original food item, the soaps are infused with lemon, sea salt and butter in a nod to the butter-soaked rolls that once accompanied the fried clams, according to a statement by Wyndham.
“Howard Johnson is a brand woven into America’s cultural fabric and beloved by millions for generations,” said Marissa Yoss, HoJo’s head of marketing. “As we celebrate 100 years, our limited-edition fried clam soap is a fun, nostalgic tribute to the brand’s storied past and a playful nod to the retro-modern, family-friendly spirit that continues defining our hotels today.”
For World Waffle Day celebrations, Comfort Hotels hosted a one-day Waffle Lounge in New York City on Aug. 21.
City councilman criticized for anti-Indian comments