The US Congress is considering a series of bipartisan bills designed to address several pressing issues within the hotel industry, ranging from fee transparency to workforce shortages and human trafficking prevention.
As the 118th Congress nears its conclusion on January 3, 2025, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has called on lawmakers to advance legislation aimed at creating a more transparent and fairer environment for both consumers and the industry.
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Tackling hidden fees with transparency legislation
One of the most significant pieces of legislation under discussion is the No Hidden FEES Act (H.R. 6543) in the House and the Hotel Fees Transparency Act (S. 2498) in the Senate.
These bills seek to establish a nationwide standard for displaying mandatory lodging fees. According to AHLA President & CEO Rosanna Maietta, “This legislation would protect consumers by ensuring they have access to clear, upfront pricing information across the entire lodging industry, including short-term rentals and online travel agencies.”
The aim is to eliminate hidden fees that have long been a point of frustration for hotel guests. The legislation would create transparency by mandating that all fees, whether for booking or additional services, are disclosed at the start of the booking process.
This move aligns with the growing demand for straightforward and honest pricing in the hospitality sector.
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By GlobalDataCombating human trafficking with the HOTEL Act
The HOTEL Act (H.R. 9681) is another key piece of legislation that has gained attention. This bill encourages federal workers travelling for business to stay at hotels with robust anti-human trafficking programs in place.
Hotels that wish to qualify under the bill must offer training in collaboration with state governments or recognised anti-trafficking organisations, such as the AHLA Foundation.
Rosanna Maietta stressed the importance of this initiative, stating, “The HOTEL Act would help prevent human trafficking by encouraging federal employees to stay in hotels that have been vetted for their commitment to combating this issue.”
The AHLA Foundation has been actively involved in helping hoteliers identify and prevent human trafficking since 2019 through its No Room for Trafficking programme, which continues to gain support within the industry.
Addressing workforce shortages and red tape
In response to ongoing labour shortages, the Closing the Workforce Gap Act (H.R. 7574) aims to help hoteliers by replacing the annual cap on available H-2B temporary visas with a needs-based system.
This bill comes as part of the broader push to address workforce gaps within the industry, which are particularly noticeable in areas like housekeeping, front desk operations, and food service.
Another crucial piece of legislation is the Red Tape Reduction Act (S. 1725), which seeks to address issues related to short-term rental platforms and other alternative accommodations.
This bill aims to create a more equitable regulatory environment between traditional hotels and short-term rental services like Airbnb.
By reducing unreported income within the short-term rental industry, the bill seeks to level the playing field for hotels, which are often subject to stricter regulations.
“Win-win policies”
These proposed bills reflect a growing effort to address key challenges facing the U.S. hotel industry, from fee transparency to workforce shortages and the prevention of human trafficking.
With nearly 1 in 25 American jobs linked to the hotel industry, according to AHLA, the passage of these bills could provide significant benefits for both the sector and the public.
As Rosanna Maietta concluded, “These commonsense, bipartisan policies are a win-win for hoteliers, employees, and consumers, and we encourage lawmakers to support their swift passage.”
