On July 28th, city councilor and Chair of the Consumer and Worker Protection Committee, Julie Menin, announced that she will postpone the hearing on a proposal to regulate the hotel industry in New York City. Her decision was welcomed by the entire hotel and lodging industry in the city.
“After discussions with the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council and the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC), I have decided to reschedule the hearing for the Safe Hotels Act to allow more time for feedback before taking the next steps in the legislative process,” Menin stated on an X platform.
Like other cities, Menin emphasized the importance of proposing reasonable and responsible licensing requirements to help all hotels maintain reasonable public safety, health, and working conditions, thus protecting guests, employees, and the community.
During the postponement period, Menin expressed her intention to continue collaborating with government partners, unions, and stakeholders from various industries to “achieve this fundamental goal.”
The move was welcomed by the hotel, lodging, and hospitality industries.
The Hotel & Gaming Trades Council Alliance expressed gratitude to Councilor Menin for her leadership on this important proposal, hoping to engage in more effective dialogue with the hotel association and others to ensure effective regulations that protect workers, guests, and the community.
The Hotel Association of New York City also responded on the X platform, stating their pleasure in the council’s decision to cancel the hearing on hotel licensing legislation, opposing the plan to protect the tourism economy and strongly opposing the initiative, while expressing willingness to collaborate on a sensible basis to protect workers and foster the growth of the tourism industry.
The NYC Hospitality Alliance stated in a statement received by this newspaper, “We have received very positive news that all the anger and opposition to the legislative proposal Intro. 991 has prompted Councilor Menin to make a wise decision: postponing the council hearing scheduled for Tuesday, July 30. This proposal, if turned into law, would force many restaurants and bars within hotels to close and lay off employees. We commend her for postponing this hearing.”
The NYC Hospitality Alliance reminded its members at the end of the email, “This is a positive development, but it does not mean the battle is over, yet it also reflects the power of our collective opposition.”
Councilor Menin, along with Asian and Korean-American councilors supporting the legislative proposal Intro. 991, require the hotel industry to apply for permits from the city to operate, and prohibit outsourcing critical services such as restaurants and bars to third parties.
This news, akin to pouring hot oil into boiling water, has stirred up anger among New York City hoteliers, with various industry associations coming out to voice their opposition.