The value of advocacy for independent hoteliers
By Aaryan Patel and Jin Laxmidas
Independent hoteliers represent entrepreneurial resilience, community engagement, and personalized guest experiences that branded chains often cannot replicate. Yet, despite their contributions, they often face outsized challenges – particularly when navigating legislation, regulatory frameworks, and public policy. Advocacy is the bridge that ensures these voices are heard, their challenges are understood, and their contributions to their local economies are valued.
The Importance of Advocacy in Hospitality
Legislative and regulatory decisions can dramatically influence the operations and profitability of hotels. From tax policy and labor laws to zoning ordinances and short-term rental regulations, policymakers frequently make decisions that directly affect independent hotel owners. Without organized advocacy, these hoteliers risk underrepresentation in conversations dominated by large corporations and national brands.
Industry associations such as AAHOA serve as powerful advocates, helping to ensure fair representation at the federal, state, and local levels. Their work emphasizes that advocacy is not merely about influence; it is about creating a level playing field so independent hoteliers can thrive alongside larger entities.
Local and regional industry groups working at the grassroots level with city, county, and state elected officials have the greatest impact on proposed ordinances and legislation. Independent hoteliers should never underestimate the power of meeting their local officials to educate them about the challenges they face.
There are a number of powerful ways for independent hoteliers to make their voices heard – meeting with elected officials is just the start. Hoteliers can contribute to a political action committee, or PAC, a legally constituted entity whose purpose is to gather contributions from individual donors and deploy the funds to help candidates win elections. The AAHOA PAC supports AAHOA’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and in state capitals.
Hoteliers can easily participate in the democratic process even if they do not choose to contribute financially. They can:
- Volunteer time at a campaign office.
- Go door-to-door to campaign for a candidate.
- Attend city council meetings and request to speak about proposed legislation and issues facing the small business community.
- Offer to host a candidate meet-and-greet for the community at their property.
- Allow candidates to post flyers and other signage at their property.
Legislative Wins That Matter
The past few years have highlighted how targeted legislation can ease pressure on hotel owners. Efforts to secure federal relief funding during the pandemic, for example, allowed thousands of independent hotels to stay afloat and protect jobs. Advocacy around property tax reform, liability protections, and workforce development programs continues to deliver practical benefits.
At the state level, hoteliers have seen success in curbing unfair competition from unregulated short-term rental platforms. This step is critical not only for maintaining community standards but also for ensuring that hotel operators, who comply with safety, labor, and tax obligations, are not disadvantaged in the marketplace. Short-term rental properties have a disproportionate impact on independent hoteliers – independent hotel guests are typically leisure travelers, while business and corporate travelers generally frequent larger chains and franchised hotels.
But the work is never done. Advocacy continues to play an invaluable role in:
- Addressing Workforce Challenges
Labor remains one of the most pressing issues for hoteliers. Legislation around wage requirements, visa programs for seasonal workers, and workforce training has a direct impact on the ability to hire and retain staff. By championing policies that expand access to skilled labor while protecting workers’ rights, advocacy ensures that independent hotels can maintain high-quality service without bearing unsustainable costs.
Additionally, engagement with lawmakers has elevated conversations about workforce pipelines. Apprenticeship programs, partnerships with community colleges, and expanded vocational training are now part of the legislative agenda in several states, offering long-term solutions that benefit hotel owners and employees alike. - Securing Financing and Access to Capital
Independent hoteliers often face more hurdles than branded properties when it comes to securing loans or refinancing debt. Legislative efforts to expand access to Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs, adjust loan limits, and modernize underwriting standards can directly determine whether an independent operator can renovate, expand, or simply survive in difficult economic conditions.
By advocating for fairer financial policies, associations like AAHOA ensure that lenders and lawmakers recognize the essential role independent hoteliers play in local economies. Expanding access to capital not only secures individual properties but also strengthens entire communities that depend on hotels for jobs, tourism, and occupancy tax revenue. - Building a Sustainable Future
Beyond day-to-day operational concerns, advocacy also shapes the long-term sustainability of the industry. Legislation related to energy efficiency, environmental standards, and infrastructure investment has wide-reaching implications. Independent hoteliers benefit when lawmakers understand that sustainability initiatives must balance environmental responsibility with financial feasibility, particularly for small business owners.
Advocacy helps ensure that funding and incentives are made available for independent operators to implement green technologies, whether through tax credits, grants, or partnerships. These measures support compliance, reduce long-term operating costs, and demonstrate hospitality’s role in advancing broader societal goals.
Why Every Hotelier’s Voice Matters
While national organizations and associations take the lead in formal advocacy, the strength of these efforts comes from individual hoteliers who share their stories with local elected officials. Policymakers respond most to real-world examples – personal stories about how rising costs or burdensome regulations affect hoteliers’ ability to serve guests and create jobs can have a direct impact on future legislation.
Every hotelier who engages in advocacy, whether by attending a legislative day, writing to a representative, or hosting a policymaker on their property, helps strengthen the collective voice of the industry. Independent hoteliers often have the most compelling stories to share because their businesses are deeply tied to their communities. These narratives resonate powerfully with lawmakers who see the tangible impact of their decisions.
The Path Forward
The road ahead will bring new challenges – emerging technologies, evolving guest expectations, and shifting economic conditions. Independent hoteliers must remain engaged in advocacy to ensure that legislative outcomes align with their interests. From labor laws and financial access to sustainability and fair competition, advocacy ensures that independent hoteliers not only survive but flourish in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Advocacy is more than a policy tool; it is a safeguard for entrepreneurial spirit, community vibrancy, and the future of the hospitality industry. By standing together and making their voices heard, independent hoteliers can ensure they remain a vital, thriving part of America’s lodging landscape.
AAHOA Independent Hoteliers Committee Members Aaryan Patel and Jin Laxmidas share a commitment to help hoteliers become – and stay – independent.
Image: Feodora/stock.adobe.com
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