WASHINGTON - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced it has welcomed the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA) as a new member, continuing to grow the association’s reach at a critical time for the hotel industry.

PRHTA joins an AHLA roster of more than 30,000 members that includes 80% of all franchised hotels and the 10 largest hotel companies in the U.S. AHLA now counts 50 lodging associations as members, including 45 state associations, and organizations representing Washington, D.C., New York City, St. Louis, Memphis and Puerto Rico.

PRHTA’s membership comes at a time when AHLA continues to grow its presence at the state and local level. In addition to launching the landmark American Hospitality Alliance in 2021, AHLA has more than doubled the size of its state and local government affairs team since last year.

PRHTA is an island-wide trade association representing more than 400 members, including hotels, restaurants, airlines, tour companies, cruise lines, educational institutions, and suppliers of goods and services to Puerto Rico’s tourism industry. PRHTA’s members directly and indirectly support more than 80,000 jobs throughout Puerto Rico.

“This membership will allow us to leverage AHLA’s unmatched communications, advocacy and organizational resources, creating immediate value for PRHTA members and setting the stage for future successes. We look forward to advancing our industry together,” said Clarisa Jimenez, president and CEO of PRHTA.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association to the growing AHLA family,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “An AHLA membership is an investment in the hotel industry’s future, and we look forward to ensuring Puerto Rico hoteliers and hotel employees have a powerful voice and a seat at the table when and where it matters.”

About PRHTA

The Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association represents the shared interests of more than 400 corporate members, including hotels, restaurants, tour companies, suppliers of hospitality goods and services, airlines, cruise lines and educational institutions in Puerto Rico. As the primary voice of Puerto Rico's hotel and tourism sector, it is dedicated to representing, promoting, protecting and reporting on our industry. Learn more at www.prhta.org.

About the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.