Rallies to Protect New York’s Tourism Sector Take Place

New York is one of the world’s supercities, a must-visit metropolis. With so many sights to behold, around 60 million tourists visit the city each year. Yet they all need somewhere to stay, making the hotel industry vast. But recent changes are threatening the livelihood of its hoteliers. Read on as we discuss the recent rallies to protect New York’s tourism sector.

The NYC Tourism Coalition

The Protect New York City Tourism Coalition, numbering over 1000 protestors, took to the streets of New York last week to show their anger at the City Council's new bills regarding safe hotels. A letter was also sent to the council by the group, asking for them to reject the bill.

They believe that the bill will cause major damage and hurt thousands of guests, hotel owners, and workers who support the tourism and hospitality industry in the city. Many are fearful that the economic fallout will force hotels to lay off workers, raise rates, and even shut their doors permanently. They do not believe it is a safety or licensing issue, but a government takeover of the hotels in the city.

Andy Ingraham is the president of the Black Hotel Owners Association. He stated that it would disproportionately impact minority-owned hotels and developers. This will be due to the regulatory costs involved. He urged the council not to undo decades' worth of work and look for economic growth and job creation, not to stifle it.

The New York Tourism sector is huge. It is estimated to generate around $74 billion per year. New York City has 42,000 jobs in hotels and it is estimated that 260,000 further jobs are created indirectly, usually through third parties.

Over the last twenty years, it has worked hard to increase tourism in the city. This took a hit during the global pandemic and has just started to get back on its feet. It has done this through a range of different methods, such as improving transport links. It has also introduced attractions passes, like the New York Pass. This allows access to the main sites like the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building and access to the sightseeing bus. These money-saving schemes have lowered the cost of visiting what is known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Who Are the Protect New York City Tourism Coalition?

The coalition is made up of a wide range of delegates, each of them connected to the New York tourism sector. Amongst others, they include the Real Estate Board of New York, the NYC Minority Hotel Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and other groups who feel they would be impacted.

On their website, they go into detail discussing the impact this bill will have. This includes a definite hike in hotel rates, meaning tourists may decide to go elsewhere. This would also impact retail, restaurants, and transport. They also have a section where you can send a personal letter against the bill.

The Safe Hotels Bill

The Safe Hotels Bill, also known as Int. 991, has come under intense scrutiny. It was first introduced over the summer by Councilwoman Julie Menin. Those who support it have dubbed it a simple licensing bill. It is aimed at enhancing safety protocols in hotels.

Amongst its changes are the installation of panic buttons for staff. One is a mandatory hotel licensing system overseen by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. However, the one that seems to have ruffled the most feathers concerns direct employment for essential staff.

This will mean that everyone working in the hotel must be employed by the company directly. Front desk workers, housekeepers, maintenance, and other hospitality staff will no longer be outsourced. The idea is that if they are more integral to the running of the hotel they will be more safety-compliant.

It will place staffing mandates on businesses which many envision as harming the financial health of hotels, leading to closure and disrupting lending and transactions. Hotels will also not be allowed to partner with small businesses. This is what is feared could lead to the loss of jobs. Primarily, it will hit those who provide services like housekeeping and maintenance. Any other that provides services to hotels will also be impacted.

However, the bill has not been plucked from thin air and is in response to some high-profile incidents in New York hotels. This has included a 2021 measure to combat human trafficking. The industry is well known to have high levels of those working against their will. By tightening state control, crime and its operations in hospitality should drop.

There is no doubt that the industry needs some type of overseer. While it is already extremely safe to visit New York and its hotels, any moves to make it even better must be welcomed. However, it seems that doing away with outsourcing may have been an oversight, and one that the ramifications of may not have been entirely mapped.

It may be that the council just needs to amend this section. With so many different hotels in New York, from world-famous chains to family-run independent ones, a one size for approach is never going to work. As a tourist, in any eventuality, it is only going to make New York a more attractive place to visit and somewhere you need to stay.