Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1421252
B M & T ••• September/October 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 28 T R AV E L DATA D espite an uptick in leisure travel, a recent released by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) shows that the road to recovery for the hotel industry is long with 21 of the top 25 U.S. hotel markets remaining in a depression or recession. The new data shows urban hotels are still in a "depression" cycle while the overall U.S. hotel industry remains in a "recession." Urban markets, which rely heavily on business from events and group meetings, contin- ue to face a severe financial crisis as they have been disproportionate- ly impacted by the pandemic. Urban hotels were down 52% in room rev- enue in May com- pared to May 2019. For example, New York City, which remains in a depression, has seen one-third of its hotel rooms (42,030 rooms) wiped out by the COVID-19 pan- demic, with nearly 200 hotels closing in the city. The recent uptick in leisure travel for summer is encour- aging for the hotel industry, but business and group travel, the industry's largest source of revenue, will take significant- ly longer to recover. Business travel is down and not expect- ed to return to 2019 levels until at least 2023 or 2024. Major events, conventions and business meetings have also already been canceled or postponed until at least 2022. The report shows the economic devastation still facing hotel markets and underscores the need for targeted relief from Congress for the ailing industry. "While some industries are starting to rebound as COVID-19 restrictions ease across the country, the U.S. hotel industry is still in a recession, with the hardest hit mar- kets in a depression," said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. "While many other hard-hit industries have received targeted federal relief, the hotel industry has not. We need Congress to pass the bipartisan Save Hotel Jobs Act so hotels in the hardest hit regions, especially urban markets, can retain and rehire employees until travel demand, especially business travel, comes back to pre-pan- demic levels." Hotels are the only segment of the hospitality and leisure industry yet to receive direct aid despite being among the hardest hit. That is why AHLA and UNITE HERE, the largest hospitality workers' union in North America, joined forces to call on Congress to pass the bipartisan Save Hotel Jobs Act intr- oduced by Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawaii) and Rep. Charlie Crist (D- Fla.). This legislation would provide a lifeline to hotel workers, providing the assistance they need to survive until travel, espe- cially business travel, returns to pre-pandemic levels. ABOUT AHLA The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications sup- port and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitality was the first industry impacted and it will be among the last to recover. That is why AHLA is committed to promoting safe travel while also creating a standardized safety experience nationwide through the Safe Stay initia- tive. With an enhanced set of health and safety protocols designed to provide a safe and clean environment for all hotel guests and employees, hotels across America are ready to welcome back travelers when they are ready to travel. Learn more at www.ahla.com. REPORT: 21 OF TOP 25 U.S. HOTEL MARKETS IN DEPRESSION OR RECESSION Despite Increase in Leisure Travel, Urban Hotels Still in a "Depression" with Overall U.S. Hotel Industry in a "Recession;" Industry Leaders Ask Congress for Aid to Survive