AUSTIN (February 18, 2016) – Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21) visited The Driskill today during a “Heart of the House” hotel tour, hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and the state and local hotel association. This opportunity allowed Congressman Smith to gain greater insight on the hotel industry’s significant contributions to economic growth, jobs and community development.
Reaching a record number of tours in 2015, this hotel tour program continues to gain momentum in 2016. Today’s tour was led by General Manager Lance Stumpf and Director of Rooms Joe Graham, as well as Scott Joslove, President and CEO of the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association (THLA). They highlighted some key policy issues the hotel industry faces every day, including the importance of supporting policies that encourage business growth and market certainty while thwarting onerous regulations that could harm job creation and sustainable economic development.
“The Driskill has been a Texas landmark for 130 years, and one that exemplifies the true spirit of hospitality. But the employees I met with also exemplified the professional opportunities hotels provide, and the important contributions they make to both Texas’ and Austin’s local economy,” said Congressman Lamar Smith.
“It was an honor to show Congressman Smith our hotel and highlight some of the attributes of working in the hotel business,” said General Manager Lance Stumpf. “The Driskill serves not only as a unique tourist destination and historic landmark, but the hotel is also part of the fabric of this community. I am grateful to Congressman Smith and our lodging trade associations for arranging the opportunity for my staff to touch upon the important issues facing this industry and how hotels in the area truly benefit the local economy.”
Texas’ hotels are an essential segment of the state’s economy. 6.6% of all jobs in the state are directly or indirectly related to the lodging industry, as part of the greater travel sector, with hotels, motels, resorts, or lodges helping to generate $3.9 billion in tax revenue for state and local governments. Our industry reaches far beyond just providing guests with comfortable rooms or convenient meeting spaces—we are interlinked with many other industries, such as transportation, restaurants, agriculture, manufacturing, and recreation supporting $21 billion in total sales throughout the state.
Review the facts and figures on how the Texas lodging industry contributes to the Lone Star state’s jobs and economy here.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) engages with members of Congress on the “Heart of the House” hotel tours to provide an in-depth look at the career opportunities available as well as the economic and community impact the lodging industry has on the local, state and national stage.
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Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.9 million-employee U.S. lodging industry, including hotel owners, REITs, chains, franchisees, management companies, independent properties, state hotel associations, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides focused advocacy, communications support, and educational resources for an industry of 53,432 properties generating $176 billion in annual sales from 5 million guestrooms. AH&LA is a partner organization to the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association and the Austin Hotel & Lodging Association which represent the lodging industry at the state and local level.