AHLA urges Congress to protect consumers, federal workers; spur hotel hiring

Congress is considering bipartisan bills to create lodging fee transparency, prevent human trafficking, grow the hotel workforce, and cut red tape

• The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) urges U.S Congress to pass legislation promoting fee transparency and countering human trafficking in the hotel industry.
• Other proposed legislation aims to address the labor shortage in the hotel sector and regulate unreported income in the short-term rental industry.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) this week called on the U.S Congress to consider significant legislation designed to protect consumers from undisclosed fees during their hotel booking process. The appeal, made through a letter to House and Senate leaders, comes as the 118th Congress nears its conclusion on January 3, 2025.

Rosanna Maietta, AHLA President & CEO, urged lawmakers to advance the No Hidden FEES Act passed by the House or the Senate’s Hotel Fees Transparency Act. Both bills aim to introduce a uniform, transparent national standard for mandatory lodging fee disclosure, protecting consumers from hidden charges.

Maietta also encouraged the adoption of the HOTEL Act, a piece of legislation aimed at fostering anti-human trafficking programs in hotels frequented by federal workers on business trips. The AHLA has a history of advocating for consumer and guest protection policies and has recently led initiatives to establish a federal standard for lodging fee transparency.

In addition, the AHLA Foundation’s No Room for Trafficking initiative has been assisting hoteliers in identifying and curbing instances of human trafficking since 2019.

Maietta’s letter also implored Congress to consider the Closing the Workforce Gap Act and the Red Tape Reduction Act. The former is designed to help hoteliers navigate the nationwide labor shortage, while the latter aims to account for considerable unreported income in the short-term rental industry.

“These commonsense, bipartisan policies are a win-win for hoteliers, employees, and consumers. From growing the workforce, to protecting consumers, preventing human trafficking, and cutting red tape, we encourage lawmakers to support their swift passage,” AHLA President & CEO Rosanna Maietta said.

The hotel industry plays a significant role in the U.S economy, supporting nearly 1 in 25 American jobs. This year, hotels are expected to pay employees a record $123 billion in wages, salaries, and other compensation, generating nearly $83.4 billion in tax revenue.

For additional background information on these pieces of legislation, visit AHLA’s letter to congressional leaders here.