Hoteliers Fear Lasting Damage from Critics of Business Trips
Travel Industry Creates Jobs, Powers Communities
ALEXANDRIA, VA, Marrch 3, 2009 - The U.S. Travel Association today announced that ten of the nation's largest hotel companies are urging members of Congress to consider the value of business travel for meetings, events and performance incentive programs before enacting legislation and regulations that may unintentionally hinder economic recovery and cost American jobs.
"Members of Congress and all Americans should demand accountability from companies receiving taxpayer dollars -- what we need are rules, not rhetoric," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "That's why U.S. Travel Association and our partners have created model guidelines for corporate boards to adopt when determining if a meeting or event has legitimate business return on investment."
According to new ads, which are running beginning today on The Politico's Web site, politico.com and Roll Call's Web site, rollcall.com, "The Department of Labor is reporting a loss of nearly 200,000 travel-related jobs in 2008 and Commerce Department data predicts a lost of an additional 247,000 travel-related jobs in 2009. That number may grow if the rhetoric is not toned down."
To ensure that federal taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly, the travel community earlier this month released model travel guidelines for boards of directors of companies receiving emergency government funds. These are available at www.ustravel.org.
The companies sponsoring the ad are: Carlson, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group, Loews, Marriott, Starwood and Wyndham Worldwide.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
