Press Conference to Highlight Industry’s Reopening Efforts, Release New Economic Data

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 16, 2021) – While leisure travel in Florida is booming, the lack of business travel, large-scale meetings and events will have long-term, negative consequences on the hotel industry in the state unless action is taken.

On Tuesday, June 22, at 10:00am EST hotel industry leaders, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), will join Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and State Senator Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford) to discuss data which underscores the critical component business travel and meetings and events have for the city and economy of Orlando, including jobs.

Hotels are ready to safely welcome back business travel, which is critical to the industry’s recovery, through Safe Stay. With COVID-19 restrictions easing across the country, AHLA’s Safe Stay guidelines will help hotels remain safe as meetings and events resume.

Markets like Orlando rely heavily on business from events, conventions and group meetings, and Orlando’s economic recovery will depend on the safe resumption of business travel. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “the Orange County Convention Center reported 134 canceled or rescheduled events, estimating the economic impact to the region to be nearly $3 billion in lost revenue.”

Nationwide business travel is down 85% from pre-pandemic levels and is not expected to fully return until 2024. In Orlando, group travel as of June remains 67% lower than 2019 levels, according to a study by Visit Orlando.

RSVP by emailing media@ahla.com.

WHEN: 
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 10:00am EST

WHO:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
Chip Rogers, president and CEO, AHLA
Carol Dover, president and CEO, FRLA
State Senator Jason Brodeur
Brian Comes, Hyatt Area Vice President

WHERE:
Hyatt Regency Orlando
Manatee Springs Room
9801 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819