Trump said the bill would ‘turn the country into a rocket ship’
The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act became law on July 4 after President Trump signed it at a rally-style outdoor ceremony, with AAHOA calling it a step forward for small business owners, especially hotel operators.
Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism. Before joining Asian Media Group in 2022, he worked with BW Businessworld, IMAGES Group, exchange4media Group, DC Books, and Dhanam Publications in India. His coverage includes industry analysis, market trends and corporate developments, focusing on retail, real estate and hospitality. As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality, he covers the U.S. hospitality industry. He is from Kerala, a state in South India.
The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act became law on July 4 after President Trump signed it at an outdoor rally.
The association said the bill offers tax relief, reinvestment incentives, and financial clarity for small businesses.
India raised concern over the proposed 1 percent U.S. tax on remittances by non-citizens.
THE ONE BIG, Beautiful Bill Act became law on the Fourth of July after U.S. President Donald Trump signed it during an outdoor ceremony that resembled a political rally. AAHOA welcomed the signing, calling it a step forward for small business owners, particularly hotel operators nationwide.
The bill, officially known as H.R. 1, continues Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and also implements new tax incentives for businesses. At the same time, it makes several changes to the country’s social safety net, including Medicaid and federal food assistance programs, that Democrats say will be bad for low-income Americans.
It also targets international money transfers by non-U.S. citizens, including green card holders and temporary visa workers on H-1B and H-2A visas. It imposes a 1 percent levy on remittances sent via cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks—down from the originally proposed 5 percent rate.
After a long session on Capitol Hill, the House passed the bill on Thursday by a narrow 218–214 vote. The Senate approved it on Tuesday by a single vote. Trump, who had given the Republican-led Congress a July 4 deadline to deliver the final version, said the bill would “turn this country into a rocket ship.”
“I’ve never seen people so happy in our country—so many groups are being taken care of: the military, civilians, jobs of all types,” Trump said at the ceremony, thanking House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune for shepherding the bill through Congress, according to Reuters.
“So, you have the biggest tax cut, the biggest spending cut, the largest border security investment in American history,” Trump said. “This is going to be a great bill for the country.”
However, critics argue the bill achieves savings by cutting food benefits and health care and scaling back tax breaks for clean energy. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill could add $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade and leave millions without health coverage—a forecast the White House disputes.
AAHOA welcomes the Bill
The association said the bill provides targeted tax relief, reinvestment incentives and financial certainty for small businesses amid the need for long-term planning.
“This is a strong step in the right direction for hotel owners and the broader small business community,” said Kamalesh “KP” Patel, AAHOA Chairman. “Our members have actively advocated for these reforms, and we’re pleased to see their concerns reflected in the final legislation.”
Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO, said the bill’s signing on Independence Day is a timely reminder of the values that drive the association’s members: opportunity, resilience and the freedom to build something of their own.
“Our nearly 20,000 members own over 60 percent of the hotels in the U.S. and provide more than 1 million jobs,” she said. “This bill gives them the clarity to reinvest, the confidence to grow, and the ability to keep fueling the communities they serve.”
India’s concerns
The proposed 1 percent U.S. tax on remittances sent abroad by non-citizens is raising concern in India, which could lose billions in annual foreign currency inflows, The Hindu reported, citing the Global Trade Research Initiative.
India is the world’s top remittance recipient, followed by Mexico, China, the Philippines, France, Pakistan and Bangladesh. GTRI warned the loss could tighten U.S. dollar supply in India’s forex market, putting modest depreciation pressure on the rupee.
The bill exempts remittances made through U.S. financial institution accounts or funded by U.S.-issued debit and credit cards. The levy does not apply to U.S. citizens.
Reserve Bank of India data shows the U.S. was the top source of remittances to India in 2023 to 2024, accounting for 27.7 percent, or $32.9 billion, of total inflows.
In Indian states like Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, millions of families rely on remittances for essentials such as education, healthcare and housing.
“A tax on remittances would certainly dent the inflow of funds to India,” a government official told The Hindu. “But the government has not yet assessed the extent of that impact.”
The official added that India has not yet decided whether to seek relief from the U.S. on the issue.
Campaign promises realized
The legislation fulfills two key Trump campaign promises: making his 2017 tax cuts permanent and eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits—at a projected cost of $4.5 trillion over 10 years. It is also expected to leave millions of Americans without health insurance.
About $150 billion is earmarked for border security, detention centers, and immigration enforcement. Another $150 billion will go toward military spending, including the president’s “gold dome” missile defense program.
Democrats, who used procedural tactics to delay the House vote, sharply criticized the final bill, calling it a giveaway to the rich that strips health care and food aid from millions of Americans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, gave a record-long “magic minute” speech to delay the vote on the bill at the last minute, according to NBC News. He ended by citing Dr. Martin Luther King.
“As I take my seat, I just want to say to the American people that no matter what the outcome is on this singular day, we’re going to press on,” he said. “Press on for the left behind. Press on for the rule of law. Press on for the American way of life. Press on for democracy. We’re going to press on until victory is won. I yield back.”
IHG launched its 20th global brand, Ruby, in the U.S.
The brand offers serves city-centers and urban locations with restrictions.
It focuses on major urban markets with new-build, conversion, and adaptive reuse.
IHG HOTELS & RESORTS introduced Ruby Hotels, its 20th global brand, to the U.S. It is designed to fit in city centers and urban locations with entry barriers and space constraints.
The company’s growth plan will focus on major urban markets and include new-build, conversion and adaptive reuse projects, IHG said in a statement.
“Ruby is a brand built for the future of hospitality,” said Jolyon Bulley, IHG's CEO for the Americas. “Its success in Europe speaks to the growing demand for flexible, lifestyle-focused hotels in highly traveled locations. Ruby’s U.S. introduction will complement our premium portfolio and offer owners a differentiated product with strong economics and scalable growth potential. We’re encouraged by the initial interest and buzz around Ruby, which reinforces our confidence in its appeal and ability to thrive in this market.”
Ruby, founded in Germany in 2013, joined the IHG portfolio earlier this year and has 34 open or pipeline hotels in European cities. The U.S. launch reflects IHG’s plan to grow the brand to more than 120 hotels in the next decade and more than 250 in 20 years.
Lauren Krostue, Ruby's vice president for global brand management, said Ruby allows IHG to connect with a new type of traveler—those who value unique stays at an accessible price point.
"In bringing Ruby to the U.S., we will retain what’s made the brand so special in Europe—including its unique design and operating model—while localizing certain elements to reflect market needs," she said. "We look forward to introducing the Ruby experience to a new group of owners and guests and showcasing what sets the brand apart in the increasingly popular ‘urban micro’ segment.”
IHG nearly doubled global conversion signings from 2023 to 2024, with conversions representing about 60 percent of openings and 40 percent of signings in the first quarter of 2025.
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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.
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.
The use of AI agents hotels must rethink customer loyalty, a FAU study finds.
The paper proposes strategies as AI becomes the main booking channel.
Researchers warn of ethical and privacy issues.
HOTELS MUST RETHINK how they build and maintain loyalty as artificial intelligence systems make travel decisions and bookings for consumers, according to a study by Florida Atlantic University. The rise of artificial intelligence agents will complicate hotel customer loyalty management.
“AI agents will be the new gatekeepers of loyalty,” said Anil Bilgihan, FAU College of Business professor of hospitality management. “The question is no longer just ‘How do we win a customer’s heart?’ but ‘How do we win the trust of the algorithms advising them?’ Hotels need to prepare for a future where a guest’s preferred brand may be decided before they even open their phone.”
As consumers use AI agents to search for hotels, check availability, compare prices, analyze reviews and make bookings, decision-making will shift to the algorithm, creating loyalty to the agent or its ecosystem rather than to the brand, the report said.
Bilgihan said AI is not influenced by traditional advertising and sorts options based on algorithmic criteria.
“Imagine a traveler asking their AI agent to book a hotel in Miami within a certain budget, with a pool and strong reviews,” he said. “If your hotel doesn’t appear in that recommendation set, you may never be considered. Hotels must design loyalty programs, digital visibility and service experiences that appeal to both human guests and the AI systems filtering choices on their behalf.”
The paper proposes a framework for hotels to rethink loyalty strategies as AI agents become the main channel for travel bookings. While emotional branding still matters for humans, marketers should focus on loyalty programs that engage both humans and AI systems, using customer data to tailor experiences, improve algorithmic visibility and design programs appealing to both, the study said.
Researchers also warned of ethical and privacy concerns, including algorithmic bias, limited consumer understanding of how AI agents work and challenges in brand visibility.
“At the end of the day, technology doesn’t replace the fundamentals,” Bilgihan said. “AI may shape how guests discover and book, but the foundation of loyalty will always be the experience once they arrive.”
The paper in the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management was authored by Max Ostinelli, assistant professor of marketing; Ye Zhang, associate professor of hospitality management; Melanie Lorenz, associate professor of marketing and Bilgihan.
New York University’s State of Distribution 2025 found a gap between AI potential and hotel operational readiness, as teams are still developing training, systems and workflows. In May, India’s International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) Kolkata launched ‘NamAIste – IIHM HospitalityGPT,’ the first generative AI platform for the global hospitality industry.
More than 70 percent expect a RevPAR increase in Q4, according to HAMA survey.
Demand is the top concern, cited by 77.8 percent, up from 65 percent in spring.
Only 37 percent expect a U.S. recession in 2025, down from 49 percent earlier in the year.
MORE THAN 70 PERCENT of respondents to a Hospitality Asset Managers Association survey expect a 1 to 3 percent RevPAR increase in the fourth quarter. Demand is the top concern, cited by 77.8 percent of respondents, up from 65 percent in the spring survey.
HAMA’s “Fall 2025 Industry Outlook Survey” found that two-thirds of respondents are pursuing acquisitions, 80 percent plan renovations in the coming year and 57 percent are making or planning changes to brand affiliation or management strategies.
“With hopes high for a stronger fourth quarter, hotel asset managers continue to maintain an optimistic outlook,” said Chad Sorensen, HAMA president. “More than 70 percent of our members expect RevPAR to increase 1 to 3 percent and two-thirds are pursuing acquisitions. With 80 percent planning renovations in the coming year, we see an engaged community focused on performance.”
Conducted among 81 HAMA members, about one-third of the association, the survey reports expectations for revenue growth, property investments and acquisitions.
However, the top three most concerning issues were demand, ADR growth and tariffs, HAMA said.
RevPAR growth forecast
Looking into 2026, 72.8 percent expect 1 to 3 percent growth, 18.5 percent expect 4 to 6 percent, 7.4 percent anticipate flat results and 1.2 percent project a decline. Full-year RevPAR projections versus budget are more mixed: 49 percent expect 1 to 3 percent growth, 17 percent expect flat results, 12 percent expect 4 to 6 percent growth, 2 percent expect 7 percent or more and 19 percent expect declines.
Hotel asset managers note several market pressures, the report said. Other concerns include ADR growth at 51.9 percent, tariffs at 34.6 percent, wage increases at 33.3 percent and potential Federal Reserve rate changes at 32.1 percent. Management company performance at 25.9 percent, immigration and labor trends, union activity and insurance costs were also mentioned.
“The industry is at its highest level of concern around maintaining or increasing rates,” Sorensen said. “There’s pressure to build on the P&L going into 2026.”
Performance projections
Confidence in the broader economy has increased since spring, the survey found. Only 37 percent of respondents expect a U.S. recession in 2025, down from 49 percent earlier in the year.
When asked about properties exceeding gross operating profit forecasts, 59 percent of managers expect 0 to 25 percent of their hotels to surpass targets, 25 percent expect 26 to 50 percent, 10 percent expect 51 to 75 percent and 6 percent expect 76 to 100 percent. Additionally, 20 percent reported returning hotels to lenders or entering forced sales since the spring survey.