American Hotel & Lodging Industry Shapshot

February 9, 2026

This Snapshot provides key industry challenges and trends, emphasizing rising operational costs and labor shortages in the U.S. hospitality sector. The industry, with 64,000 properties, supports 1 in 25 U.S. jobs and is crucial for economic stability. Policy updates stress the need to extend tax provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, such as bonus depreciation and the small business deduction, critical for small hotel businesses. The AHLA advocates for the expansion of H-2B visas to address workforce shortages and opposes changes that would increase tax burdens on hoteliers. Protecting the franchise business model is also crucial, with calls to support legislation that maintains traditional joint employer standards, vital for the success and job creation within franchised establishments.

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