Engage Cuba Welcomes American Hotel & Lodging Association to Coalition
WASHINGTON, D.C. April 11, 2016 - Today, Engage Cuba, the leading coalition of private companies and organizations working to end the travel and trade embargo on Cuba, announced a partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the only national association representing the full breadth of the U.S. lodging industry.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome AH&LA to Engage Cuba. AH&LA is the industry leader in hospitality and a powerful voice calling for an end to the Cuban embargo and travel ban,” said James Williams, President of Engage Cuba. “Regulatory changes can keep the Cuban embargo intact for only so long. Engage Cuba and its allies are working on the ground now to ensure that when the embargo and travel ban are lifted, there is a strong infrastructure on the Island to allow the American hospitality industry to enter a new market and thrive.”
“We are proud to join Engage Cuba during this period of dramatic change in U.S. policy towards Cuba, a country which represents an exciting new market for our industry. Significant progress has already been made toward allowing U.S. hotel companies to operate on the island, but there is much more work to be done,” said Craig Kalkut, Vice President of Government Affairs of AH&LA. “AH&LA looks forward to working with Engage Cuba on their goal of ending the embargo and travel ban so that our industry can successfully compete in Cuba.”
About Engage Cuba
Engage Cuba is the leading coalition of private companies and organizations working to end the travel and trade embargo on Cuba. As a 501(c)(4) bipartisan non-profit whose funds are entirely dedicated to advocacy efforts, Engage Cuba is the only organization whose focus is U.S.-Cuba legislative advocacy. Engage Cuba is also committed to supporting the Cuban people and helping organizations and businesses navigate Cuban and U.S. regulations. The organization has the largest bipartisan lobbying operation working on U.S.-Cuba policy. Together with the Engage Cuba Policy Council of renowned experts, Engage Cuba provides timely updates on opportunities for U.S. business in Cuba, regulations, and market analysis. To get involved with Engage Cuba's mission or learn more, visit: http://www.engagecuba.org.
About AH&LA
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 more than 53,000 properties generating $176 billion in annual sales from 5 million guestrooms.
Contact:
Sam Michel
smichel@skdknick.com
(202) 464-6603
Katie Longo
klongo@ahla.com
(202) 289-3148
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 
