ATLANTA, GA – AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) welcomes New York City Councilwoman Julie Menin’s recent announcement to postpone the hearing on the Safe Hotels Act, a decision that follows last week’s announcement of the bill’s concerning rapid introduction and development. If enacted, it would prohibit hotels from operating without an additional license, including preventing the use of subcontractors for core functions such as housekeeping, front desk, and security.

Councilwoman Menin stated via X on Sunday afternoon, following conversations with the Hotel Association of New York City and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, that she has decided to reschedule the upcoming hearing, which was scheduled for Tuesday, July 30, to allow for more time for feedback prior to taking the next step in the legislative committee process.

AAHOA recognizes this as a positive step toward ensuring the voices of hotel owners and industry stakeholders are heard in the legislative process.

We commend Councilwoman Menin and the New York City Council for recognizing the need for a more measured approach to the Safe Hotels Act. This postponement allows for a thorough discussion of the bill’s implications, ensuring that any new laws consider the unique operational needs of New York City hotels and the current labor market. Fast-tracking such significant legislation without consulting hoteliers is counterproductive, as it fails to account for the real-world impact on our industry. AAHOA Chairman Miraj S. Patel
Shout out to the Hotel Association of NYC, Inc. (HANYCINC), the NYC Hospitality Alliance (NYC Alliance), the Real Estate Board of NY (REBNY), American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), AAHOA Regional Director Preyas Patel, and all of our local NY AAHOA Members for quickly coming together to raise concerns and request more time for feedback. Your prompt response halted a rush to passage. This will now allow appropriate measures to craft policies that support public safety and the hospitality industry’s economic health. We look forward to working with the NYC Council and industry stakeholders to develop balanced solutions that address workforce challenges and uphold safety and service standards. AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake

This decision marks a positive step forward for the hotel industry in New York City, providing an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and the development of sensible regulations that benefit and protect guests, workers, and neighborhoods.

About AAHOA

AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the world, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA's 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.7% of the nation's GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA Member-owned hotels, earning $47 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA's mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement.

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