A new survey of American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) members shows that 68% of hotels have less than half of their typical, pre-crisis staff working full time, and without further governmental assistance, 74% of respondents said they would be forced to lay off additional employees.
AHLA conducted the survey of hotel industry owners, operators, and employees from September 14-16, with over 1,000 respondents. Half of hotel owners said that they are in danger of foreclosure by their commercial real estate debt lenders due to COVID-19. And more than 67% of hotels report that they will only be able to last six more months at current projected revenue and occupancy levels absent any further relief.
To raise awareness for hotel industry priorities, AHLA has started a grassroots initiative for hoteliers across the country to urge U.S. lawmakers to swiftly pass additional stimulus relief before departing on recess to campaign. This ongoing effort, “Save Hotel Jobs,” has thus far resulted in more than 200,000 letters, calls, and tweets to members of Congress, an unprecedented demonstration of unity and support.