Disaster Relief
U.S. Travel Calls on Congress to Pass Critical Disaster Relief by Thanksgiving Holiday
U.S. Travel Association | November 4, 2024
WASHINGTON - In a letter delivered on Friday, the U.S. Travel Association called on Congressional leaders to pass substantial disaster relief to regions devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton as soon as Congress reconvenes. In the letter, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman writes: “We urge you to swiftly pass a disaster supplemental appropriations bill by Thanksgiving to support communities devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Damage caused by these storms is estimated to total more than $100 billion dollars, with downstream impacts on travel, visitor spending, hotel bookings, tax revenues and employm...
HFTP Donates $25,000 to American Red Cross for Hurricane Relief Efforts
HFTP | October 7, 2024
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) announced today a donation of $25,000 to the American Red Cross in support of the relief efforts for communities affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. This contribution is made through HFTP's philanthropic initiative, HFTP Helps, which aims to assist those in need. Hurricanes Debby and Helene have caused significant devastation across the U.S. Southeast, impacting numerous lives and livelihoods. And approaching is Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall this week on Florida’s Gulf Coast. In response to the urgent need for assistance, HFTP is committed...
U.S. Travel Reacts to SBA Decision on EIDL Eligibility
U.S. Travel Association | May 5, 2020
WASHINGTON (May 5, 2020)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the Small Business Administration's decision to reopen the Economic Injury Disaster Relief application portal only to agriculture-related businesses: "Excluding major segments of the economy from emergency relief funding not only hurts small businesses and workers, but jeopardizes the strength of the broader economic recovery." "Non-profit entities—such as destination marketing organizations and arts and culture groups—are essential for driving consumer demand to their region...
The Importance of Financial Relief for the Hotel Industry
Anne R. Lloyd-Jones | March 23, 2020
By Anne R. Lloyd-Jones The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having a profound impact on the hospitality industry, as travel restrictions, limits on large gatherings, the closure of restaurants and bars and, perhaps most influential, fear of the virus, have brought travel—and most other aspects of hospitality—to a virtual halt. According to Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), “The impact to our industry is already more severe than anything we’ve seen before, including September 11th and the Great Recession of 2008 combined.” With some hotels reporting occupancy levels of below 20%...
