By Laura Lee Blake, ESQ., AAHOA President & CEO
Defining the Moment
As we close the chapter on 2025, it is clear that this year has been one of remarkable progress and transformation for the hospitality industry. Through economic uncertainty and operational challenges, hoteliers once again showed resilience, innovation, and unity.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” This year, our industry – and AAHOA – moved forward without hesitation. Together, we advanced key priorities, strengthened relationships at every level of government, and proved that a united hospitality community can shape outcomes that matter.
Advocacy in Action: 2025 Wins Worth Celebrating
AAHOA’s advocacy team and members nationwide worked tirelessly to protect, advance, and empower hotel owners and our industry as a whole. This year, we saw tremendous victories at the federal, state, and local levels – all made possible by the collective power of 20,000 members speaking with one voice. Here are just a few of the highlights from 2025:
- Championed the STRONG and LIONs Acts, advocating to double Small Business Administration loan limits to $10 million and open more financing opportunities for hotel businesses.
- Helped secure billions in long-term tax benefits for hotel owners, ensuring they keep more of their hard-earned revenue.
- Launched new platforms to make capital more accessible and to reduce financial strain on property upgrades and expansions.
- Advocated for repealing the Visa Integrity Fee to support international tourism and longterm economic growth.
- Pushed for restoring and increasing Brand USA funding to boost tourism, business revenue, and jobs across the United States.
- Protected the industry from costly regulation through decisive state-level action, including:
- Florida’s “No Pay, No Stay” law, safeguarding owners from unpaid stays.
- Georgia’s tort reform package, reducing liability risks.
- Arkansas and Kentucky victories, defeating unfair short-term rental legislation.
- California and Los Angeles coalitions strongly opposing harmful wage ordinances to protect hotel jobs.
- San Diego win, exempting hotels with fewer than 150 rooms from new wage mandates and phasing in increases for larger properties.
These wins represent more than policy changes – they demonstrate the strength of AAHOA’s voice, the power of persistence, and the value of unity across our association.
The Road Ahead
President Abraham Lincoln said, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” As we look toward 2026, AAHOA is committed to doing just that – creating opportunities, driving progress, and ensuring our members remain at the forefront of the hospitality industry’s evolution.
Together, we will continue to shape an industry defined by resilience, excellence, and service. The next chapter is already being written – and it begins with us.
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