With social distancing in effect, fewer people are traveling, causing hotels across the country to lose occupancy by 80%. Of those affected, NYC hotels have felt the harsh effects of the pandemic with eight in 10 rooms sitting vacant.
While hotels are experiencing less occupancy, many hotels have partnered with AHLA’s Hospitality For Hope Initiative, which launched March 24th in an effort to help the medical community find lodging during these unprecedented times. According to the AHLA, so far over 15,000 hotels have signed up for the Hospitality For Hope Initiative.
“As an industry of people taking care of people, the hotel industry is uniquely positioned to support and help strengthen our communities and first responders who are on the front lines of dealing with this ongoing public health crisis,” said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO.
Under this initiative, hotels are offering up floors, and in some cases entire hotels, for medical staff and first responders that are in need of a place to stay while working on the front lines. There are also rooms available to hospital patients that are non-critical and in need of a safe place to stay.
According to Skift, Chicago has designated 2,000 rooms over 5 hotels for patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19 who must self-quarantine until they are fully recovered.
If you are a hotel interested in joining the AHLA’s Hospitality for Hope Initiative, volunteer here.
