Skift Take
You'd think having a hotelier in the White House would be a good thing for the hotel industry, but Trump's protectionist and xenophobic immigration and visa policies have the potential do much more harm than good, not only for his own hotel business but that of his peers, too.
The hotel industry, unlike other sectors in the travel industry, has remained relatively quiet on the ramifications of U.S. President Trump's newest executive order, which temporarily bans immigrants and refugees from seven majority-Muslim countries.
The only statement issued so far came from the American Hotel & Lodging Association's president and CEO, Katherine Lugar, who said, "The American Hotel & Lodging Association has long recognized the critical importance of finding the right balance between unwavering hospitality and strong national security. While we recognize the importance of reviewing the processes surrounding visa issuance as a means to enhance national security, any action must also be balanced. It is our hope that the administration’s review will be completed quickly, so that we can work together to develop policies that both promote hospitality and travel to the United States for those who wish to come – both as employees and as guests – while also ensuring the safety of our citizens here at home. We look forward to working with the Administration, Congress, and the broader U.S. travel community to meet that goal."
The newly elected President's directives on immigration policy and the free movement of people across borders should be of concern to the travel and hospitality industries — if they aren't already. Hospitality, like the rest of the travel industry, is one that relies heavily on the ability of people to travel freely, and it employs 1.94 million people in the U.S alone according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2015, the U.S. welcomed a record nearly 76 million international tourists to its shores, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.
Michael J. Bellisario, a senior research analyst with Baird who covers real
