The president and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) has welcomed federal lawmakers agreeing to include AHLA-supported legislation in a year-end continuing resolution (CR) that, the association says, would protect consumers from hidden lodging fees in the US.
The AHLA is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the US.
For the last two years, AHLA has championed two bipartisan federal fee-transparency bills – the House-passed No Hidden FEES Act and the Senate’s Hotel Fees Transparency Act.
ALHA president and CEO Rosanna Maietta (pictured) said: “Consumers deserve to have transparency no matter where or how they book their stays.”
“We believe the fee-transparency provision included in the continuing resolution is the best way to create a clear set of federal fee-display rules across the lodging industry.
“AHLA appreciated the steadfast support of Sens. Klobuchar and Moran as well as Reps. Kim and Castor for their leadership on this important issue and their work getting this significant win for guests included in the CR. We are also grateful to the FTC for including much of AHLA’s perspective in its final rule.”
She continued: “We firmly believe that one national standard is the right approach for consumers and business and that the legislation included in the continuing resolution best accomplishes that goal.”
The latest continuing resolution includes a provision based on this legislation that would create a nationwide standard for up-front, fee-inclusive lodging price displays.
If passed, this provision would ensure that all consumers, no matter where they shop for lodging, will know exactly what they will be paying with no surprise fees.
The Federal Trade Commission also released a final rule that will set clear fee-disclosure requirements for the lodging industry, as well as other sectors.
