WASHINGTON (Dec. 21, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President & CEO Rosanna Maietta issued the following statement after federal lawmakers passed a continuing resolution that does not contain AHLA-backed legislation to protect consumers from hidden lodging fees.

“AHLA appreciates lawmakers coming together to avert a government shutdown, which would have caused significant travel disruptions this holiday season. We are disappointed, however, that the lodging fee transparency provisions AHLA has championed were not included in the end-of-year congressional spending deal,” said AHLA President & CEO Rosanna Maietta. “We believe federal legislation is still the best way to create a clear set of fee-display rules for consumers, hoteliers, and other industry participants. We will continue to work with lawmakers in both parties and the new administration to ensure there is a nationwide standard for fee-inclusive lodging display rules.”

Background
For the last two years, AHLA has championed two bipartisan federal fee-transparency bills – the House-passed No Hidden FEES Act and the Senate’s Hotel Fees Transparency Act.

A bipartisan spending deal announced Dec. 17 had included a provision based on this legislation that would create a nationwide standard for up-front, fee-inclusive lodging price displays. If passed, it would have ensured that all consumers, no matter where they shop for lodging, would know exactly what they would be paying with no surprise fees.

AHLA’s most recent data shows only 6% of hotels nationwide charge a mandatory resort/destination/amenity fee, at an average of $26 per night.