Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Trump presents his plan to Congress

AAHOA will visit Washington, D.C., on March 11-12 to advocate for key measures

President Trump addressing Congress in 2025, backed by AAHOA for hospitality tax relief

President Donald Trump laid out his plan for the nation in his first congressional address Tuesday since starting his second term on Jan. 20, with AAHOA being the first industry group to commend his commitment.

What Did Trump Say About Taxes in His 2025 Speech?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP laid out his plan for the nation in his first address to Congress on Tuesday since beginning his second term on Jan. 20. AAHOA was the first industry group to commend his commitment to the American Dream, even as markets reacted negatively to his rapid moves on the economy, immigration and foreign policy amid federal restructuring, strained alliances and trade uncertainty.

Trump's statement, "The American Dream is unstoppable," resonates deeply with AAHOA members—entrepreneurs, small business owners, and job creators in hospitality, the association said in a statement.


"President Trump's proposals are the tax reforms our industry needs,” said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman. “That's why AAHOA will be in Washington, D.C., on March 11 to 12 to advocate for these critical measures. We look forward to engaging with lawmakers to ensure America's hotel owners are heard. Tax relief and pro-business policies are essential to keeping the hotel industry strong."

The speech came as Trump made headlines for imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, adding 10 percent on Chinese imports, and cutting military aid to Ukraine during its war with Russia. However, he said tariffs “are about making America rich again and making America great again."

Meanwhile, the president criticized Democrats and the Biden administration for rising costs.

"I look at the Democrats in front of me and realize there's nothing I can say to make them happy," Trump said. "We inherited an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare from the last administration."

Trump also emphasized ending DEI initiatives.

"You should be hired and promoted based on skill and competence, not race or gender," he said.

However, AAHOA praised the focus on tax relief for families and small businesses and urged bipartisan support to extend and expand cuts. The association backed Trump's proposal to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime pay and social security benefits. It expects these measures to benefit millions of hospitality workers and help small business owners reinvest in their employees, businesses, and communities.

The association said reducing the tax burden on small businesses and employees will drive innovation, expansion, and economic growth in hospitality.

AAHOA president and CEO Laura Lee Blake said entrepreneurs drive the hospitality industry by pursuing the American Dream.

"AAHOA applauds President Trump for recognizing the vital role of small business owners and advancing policies that drive economic growth, job creation and financial security for our workforce," she said.

The association remains committed to fair taxation, capital access and a level playing field for small businesses and looks forward to working with the administration and Congress to enact these tax reforms.

Trump’s address became the longest presidential speech to Congress, surpassing Bill Clinton’s 1-hour, 28-minute State of the Union in January 2000. Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas caused a disruption and was escorted out of the chamber while other Democrats held up signs saying “False,” “Save Medicaid” and “Musk steals,” the last referring to billionaire Elon Musk who is leading Trumps efforts to reduce waste and fraud.

In February, Kashyap “Kash” Patel became the FBI's ninth director after a 51 to 49 Senate vote, with AAHOA offering congratulations.

More for you

Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act Pass Senate in 51–50 Vote

Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” passes Senate

Summary:

  • U.S. Senate narrowly passes “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.”
  • AAHOA thanks lawmakers, cites tax certainty and flexibility for small business owners.
  • Bill faces tougher path in House amid divisions within Trump’s party.

THE U.S. SENATE on Tuesday narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s flagship legislation, the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ (H.R. 1), which includes tax breaks and spending cuts the administration says will benefit U.S. citizens. AAHOA backed its final passage in both chambers of Congress, although concerns remain about the inclusion of a remittance tax that could impact Indian Americans.

Keep ReadingShow less
Red Roof partners with FreedomPay to streamline payments in 700+ U.S. hotels
Photo credit: Red Roof

Red Roof taps FreedomPay for 700+ hotels

Summary:

  • Red Roof is contracting with FreedomPay to provide payments across its 700+ U.S. hotels.
  • The company will gain an integrated solution, improved service, cost savings and efficiency.
  • The company is investing in people and technology to advance the brand, president Zack Gharib told Asian Hospitality.

RED ROOF IS contracting with FreedomPay to provide payments across its portfolio of more than 700 hotels in the U.S. The company will receive an integrated payment solution, upgraded service, cost savings and operational efficiency, according to a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gen Z Shifts Hotel Shopping: Tech, Experiences & Values

Survey: Gen Z redefines hotel shopping

Summary:

  • Younger consumers are redefining hotel discovery through platform-hopping and peer input, according to SOCi.
  • Fragmented search and discovery are reshaping how trust is built.
  • About one-third of consumers aged 18–34 report less brand loyalty than a year ago.

GEN Z IS RESHAPING hotel shopping through multiple platforms, peer input and real-time research, according to SOCi, a marketing platform for multi-location businesses. Unlike previous generations who relied on a single search engine or map app, the younger consumer moves through a series of smaller decisions - starting on TikTok, checking Reddit or Yelp and ending with a Google Maps search.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel Tech Advances; Outpaces Operational Readiness

Report: Tech outpaces readiness in hotels

  • A gap is growing between technological potential and operational readiness, with many hotel teams still early in AI use.
  • Distribution teams are evolving with limited resources and uneven investment in talent and automation.
  • The report outlines how commercial teams in hospitality are managing transformation.

THERE IS A widening gap between technological potential and operational readiness, with many hotel staff still early in using AI effectively, according to “The State of Distribution 2025” report. Despite the availability of technology, training, systems and workflows remain in development.

The second edition of the industry benchmark report—published by NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and its Hospitality Innovation Hub, in collaboration with RateGain Travel Technologies and HEDNA—noted that as traveler expectations rise, aligning people, processes and platforms is becoming a driver of performance.

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