Regulatory and Legal Affairs - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 24

2 min

AHLA Shares Support for American Franchise Act

📰 Representatives Kevin Hern (R-OK) and Don Davis (D-NC) introduced the American Franchise Act (AFA) in Washington, D.C., aimed at amending the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) supports this bipartisan effort to protect the hotel business model. AHLA CEO Rosanna Maietta and Board Chair Mitch Patel highlighted the Act’s significance for franchisors and franchisees, urging for its swift adoption to secure employment frameworks and small business autonomy.

2 min

UKH urges maximum discount in response to business rates reform plans

💸 UKHospitality welcomes government’s interim business rates reform report but stresses the need for a maximum discount on the rates multiplier. The government can apply a 20p per pound discount, crucial for hospitality properties under £500,000 rateable value. UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls advocates for this ahead of November's Budget, highlighting potential rateable value hikes in April. She also calls for a zero rate for properties over £500,000 and transitional relief to mitigate large value increases.

Delta’s AI pricing controversy

✈️ Delta Air Lines, September 10, 2025, faces criticism over alleged AI-driven personalized fares, denied by the airline. U.S. senators and the Department of Transportation worry about consumer exploitation. Delta clarifies AI usage in existing dynamic pricing. Travel managers support AI for efficiency. Experts warn about reduced transparency and predictability in pricing. Comparisons made with IATA's New Distribution Capability privacy concerns. Research indicates potential AI "collusion" on prices, prompting calls for regulatory oversight.

1 min

AHLA Issues Statement on Los Angeles Minimum Wage Ordinance

🏨 WASHINGTON, D.C.—On the failure to repeal Los Angeles' minimum wage ordinance, AHLA President Rosanna Maietta stated that thousands of voters believe it will harm jobs and hotel viability, cut tax revenue, and impact the 2028 Olympics. The mayor is urged to find a solution swiftly to prevent these issues.

1 min

UKH: Tube strike ‘to cost London hospitality £110m’

📝 London may face a £110 million loss this week due to a tube strike, says UKHospitality. Most Underground lines are closed, affecting commuters and resulting in consumer cancellations. The strike, led by the RMT union over pay issues, may disrupt services until Friday. UKHospitality Chair, Kate Nicholls, highlights the burden on businesses already dealing with £3.4 billion in annual costs. UKHospitality, representing over 130,000 venues, contributes £93 billion annually to the UK economy and employs over 3.5 million people.

1 min

Event Hotels acquires 17-property Keystone portfolio in Germany

🏨 Event Hotels acquires the Keystone Portfolio of 17 hotels in Germany, marking a major investment in its 30-year history. The hotels, operating under Ibis and Mercure brands, include 2,021 rooms across cities like Bremen, Frankfurt, and Munich. The largest, Mercure Koblenz City, has 168 rooms. Legal support was provided by McDermott Will and Schulte. The acquisition focuses on guest experience and technical upgrades, promising risk diversification and steady cash flows. Event Hotels operates over 80 properties in Europe.

3 min

A New Tax Framework: Hotels Win Certainty on Key Provisions

💰 President Trump signed a law on July 4, making 2017 tax provisions permanent for hoteliers. Key provisions include: Pass-through deduction permanency for small-business owners, 100% bonus depreciation, no tax on tips benefiting 800,000 industry workers until 2028, and preserving Section 1031 for capital gains deferral. AHLA's advocacy ensured no new harmful tax increases for hoteliers. This provides tax certainty, allowing reinvestment and economic growth. AHLA remains focused on further industry policy goals.

5 min

Google won’t be forced to sell Chrome after judge rules divestment a ‘poor fit’ in landmark antitrust case

💻 District Judge Amit Mehta ruled Google won't have to sell Chrome in a landmark antitrust case, but must share search data. Google's stock rose nearly 6% and Apple's by 3%. Google can continue paying $20 billion annually to Apple for search engine placement. Despite DOJ efforts, Google's dominance in search remains, with a 91% global market share as of June 2023. Google’s $198 billion revenue in 2024 underscores its market influence despite antitrust challenges.

2 min

New EEI Study Warns Against Restrictive EU Subcontracting Rules

📑 On 3rd September 2025, the European Employers Institute published a study led by Erik Sinander from Stockholm University on the implications of EU-level subcontracting restrictions. The study warns of risks like legal complexity, competitiveness concerns, and sustainability threats. HOTREC, representing 2 million European hospitality businesses, argues against EU restrictions, advocating for existing national legislation enforcement to support over 10 million jobs. The study's detailed findings emphasize maintaining flexibility for SMEs.

US border hurdles risk deterring tourists

🛫 Sep 2, 2025, foreign arrivals to US airports fell 3.8% in the first seven months of 2025, with July down 5.1%. Long queues and higher visa fees, including a $250 refundable “visa integrity fee,” deter tourists. Booking Holdings’ Glenn Fogel highlights risks to reputation during the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. The US became Booking Holdings’ slowest-growing region, as political perceptions and immigration policies discourage travelers.

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