Widespread industry support for hospitality stimulus bill
A new bipartisan bill aimed at rescuing the hospitality industry and protect millions of jobs is receiving industry-wide backing.
The Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act was tabled by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Sen. Kevin Cramer.
It is offering new tax credits for the hospitality and meetings industry for two years starting 1 January 2021.
The U.S. Travel Association has welcomed the bill.
"Targeted economic relief for struggling travel-related businesses needs to be a significant priority in America’s broader economic recovery plan. The bipartisan Act includes a number of crucial measures to provide much-needed economic stability to millions of Americans whose livelihoods rely on travel and tourism," U.S. Travel Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Tori Emerson Barnes said in a statement.
"The Leisure & Hospitality industry has suffered nearly 40% of all job losses nationwide, and a staggering 50% of all travel-supported jobs will be lost by the end of December if there is no federal intervention."
It has also been applauded by ASTA.
It includes an employee-retention tax credit, which the bill says will ‘help maintain the vital connection between workers and their employers.’
It would issue a credit of 50% for qualified travel expenses traveling at least 50 miles from home and includes an overnight stay.
There is an upper limit of $1,500 per household plus qualifying children up to a maximum of $3,000 for a family of five.
"It will provide immediate benefits for many of our members — which is welcome as many of the Cares Act relief programs have run dry," said Eben Peck, ASTA’s Executive Vice President for Advocacy.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026