02 Apr Hospitality Industry Calls for ARP Funding to Revive Jobs

In an urgent appeal, leaders from the hospitality sector, including Lynette Montoya, CEO of the Latino Hotel Association (LHA), are calling on local governments to allocate American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to stabilize the industry and protect millions of jobs. Alongside prominent figures such as Chip Rogers of AHLA, Cecil P. Staton of AAHOA, and Andy Ingraham of NABHOOD, Montoya emphasized the devastating impact of the pandemic on the industry, which has wiped out a decade of job growth.

The letter sent to the National Governors Association and the U.S. Conference of Mayors outlines key policy recommendations. These include direct financial relief for hotels, tax credits to protect jobs, tourism promotion to stimulate recovery, and legal protections for businesses. With the hospitality unemployment rate still 300% higher than the national average, these measures are critical to ensuring long-term recovery and growth.

Montoya and her peers stress that without immediate action, the hotel industry could face the loss of 1.3 million more jobs. The appeal highlights the potential of ARP funds to rebuild the sector and support millions of workers reliant on hospitality for their livelihoods. This collective effort reflects the industry’s resilience and commitment to revitalization.