As the wildfires and their aftermath continue to impact communities across California, the hotel industry stepped up at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) to provide critical relief to those affected.
The L.A. hotel, travel and tourism industries, which employ more than 540,000 Angelenos and generate billions in economic activity, have been severely impacted by the wildfires. Thousands of hotel reservations have been canceled, affecting local businesses and city tax revenue that will be vital for rebuilding efforts. However, the industry remains committed to supporting the city’s recovery while reminding travelers: Los Angeles is open for business.
Key highlights of the industry’s collective efforts include:
- Care packages for first responders: Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Northstar Travel Group and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) joined forces at ALIS with delegate volunteers and LA Works to assemble 500 support kits for emergency responders involved in the L.A. wildfires, ensuring frontline heroes have the supplies they need.
- Fundraising campaigns: Industry leaders combined efforts and have donated millions of dollars to various organizations like the Red Cross and the L.A. Fire Department Foundation.
- Rooms donated: Tens of thousands of hotel rooms have been donated to evacuees and emergency response personnel.
- Staff support: Thousands of hotel staff volunteered their time to provide comfortable rooms and prepare meals and care packages for hundreds of staff impacted.
“Helping people in need is what the hospitality industry is all about,” said Rosanna Maietta, president/CEO, AHLA. “As our hoteliers have come together to continue to assist evacuees and first responders, we are also here to underscore how vital tourism is to Los Angeles’ recovery. We are urging travelers to ‘Stay With L.A.’ to support local jobs, businesses and the city’s long-term recovery.”
Jeff Higley, president, The BHN Group by Northstar, “The sense of community demonstrated by ALIS delegates has never been stronger. We are proud to be a part of an industry that is standing together to help jump-start Los Angeles’ road to recovery by supporting the local hospitality industry and its many employees. We are honored to support these critical organizations and to provide much-needed assistance to those residents in need of a helping hand.”
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