A recent national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) shows more than seven in 10 Americans (71%) support the federal government providing targeted economic relief to the hotel industry as called for in the Save Hotel Jobs Act.
The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), will provide a lifeline to hotel employees, providing up to three months of full payroll support.
Recently, AHLA and UNITE HERE, the largest hospitality workers union in North America, joined forces to call on Congress to pass the Save Hotel Jobs Act. While many other hard-hit industries have received targeted federal relief, the hotel industry has not. In fact, hotels are the only major hospitality and leisure segment yet to receive direct aid. Without targeted relief from Congress, nationwide, hotels are expected to end 2021 down 500,000 jobs.
The survey of 2,200 adults was conducted March 1-3 by Morning Consult on behalf of AHLA. Key findings include:
- 71% of respondents support targeted economic relief for the hotel industry and its workforce.
- 79% of Democrats support targeted economic relief for the hotel industry and its workforce.
- 71% of Republicans support targeted economic relief for the hotel industry and its workforce.
- 60% of independents support targeted economic relief for the hotel industry and its workforce.
“While many other hard-hit industries have received targeted federal relief, the hotel industry has not,” said Chip Rogers, president/CEO, AHLA. “No industry has been harder hit by the pandemic, and the results of this survey make clear that Americans support targeted Congressional action to keep hotel workers employed. After the most devastating year on record for hotels, we need additional support from Congress to retain and rehire our associates, revive our local communities and restart our economy.”
