NYC Council passes Safe Hotels Act despite industry pushback

THE NEW YORK City Council passed the controversial Safe Hotels Act, also known as Intro. 991, on Wednesday, despite strong opposition from industry groups
like AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The council’s Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection approved the bill, requiring hotel operators
to obtain a license to operate in New York City.

The associations argued that the bill, introduced by Councilwoman Julie Menin on July 18, will have a damaging impact on New York’s hotels and economy, particularly
minority-owned businesses.

AAHOA said the revisions made during the legislative process fail to address industry concerns.

“While we acknowledge the passage of the Safe Hotels Act and the attempt to accommodate smaller properties, this revision still falls short of addressing our broader
concerns with the legislation. Hoteliers of all sizes deserve the flexibility to manage their operations effectively to ensure efficiency and guest satisfaction,”
said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman. “The unintended consequences of this act will disproportionately affect minority-owned businesses, stifling entrepreneurship and
innovation in the hospitality sector.”