At the annual 2018 Legislative Action Summit hosted by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), on September 12th – 13th on Capitol Hill, the nearly 400 delegates highlighted the lodging industry’s strength and unity, a press releases issued by both the groups said.
At the annual event, The AHLA and AAHOA members urged lawmakers to make permanent the tax cuts in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, “policies that encourage international travel and tourism to the United States, and new protections for consumers from online hotel booking scams,” the press release said.
“As Congress confronts the many challenges facing our country, hoteliers are united in advocating for our employees, our businesses and our industry. AAHOA is pleased to once again join with AHLA for our Legislative Action Summit,” AAHOA president Chip Rogers said.
AAHOA members talked to lawmakers about tax reform, stopping online booking scams, increasing international travel to the United States and enhancing the hospitality workforce, Rogers said.
The hotel industry supports nearly 8 million American jobs, puts $600 billion into the U.S. economy annually and contributes $170 billion in federal, state and local taxes. And rightfully so, the hoteliers during the meeting with their lawmakers on Capitol Hill, discussed ways to boost tourism and cut taxes.
“The hotel industry is one where the American Dream is alive and well, and we are excited to bring that story of opportunity and success to Capitol Hill,” said AHLA president and CEO Katherine Lugar.
“As part of an industry that supports 8 million jobs across the U.S., hoteliers are focused on providing the training and support to help our employees move up the ladder of opportunity, and build a strong workforce to sustain our industry. Hotels are an integral part of the communities of every congressional district across the country, and we look forward to working together with our nation’s lawmakers so that they understand what makes us unique as an industry, and the policies that will help us continue to grow and thrive.”
Summit participants heard from key leaders in Washington who offered their insights on the political climate and congressional landscape, including U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta; Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.); Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), and Scott Peters (D-Calif.); Phil Lovas, deputy assistant secretary of the National Travel and Tourism Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce; and David Wasserman, U.S. editor and senior election analyst with the Cook Political Report.
