Article by Robert Habeeb, CEO, First Hospitality from HotelNewsNow.com:
When politics enter the conversation, discussions about the role of government and regulatory impact on the hotel industry become polarizing and partisan depending on political affiliations.
The role of government in handling the national economic crisis? Liberals assert the economic downturn would have been much worse without government intervention while conservatives contend that ham-fisted bumbling failed to improve the situation—and quite possibly even made things worse.
The trend toward beefing up regulatory agencies and strengthening mechanisms for government oversight? Conservatives argue it is a reactionary, unnecessary, anti-business stance; liberals counter it is a necessary correction after years of lax regulation.
These bipolar debates, driven by perspectives on either end of the political spectrum, are rarely productive. On the ground of the hotel industry, hospitality professionals do not have the luxury of getting into philosophical discussions about the appropriate role of government. Whatever our personal politics might be, when it comes to supporting and growing our industry, it is all business. From health-care reform and immigration policy, to taxes and organized labor, government programs and policies have a profound impact on the health and prosperity of the hotel industry.
Hotel owners and operators have a vested interest not only in those policies that directly address their concerns but also in any significant piece of business-related legislation. By staying informed and engaged with legislative trends, owners can monitor their economic and political fortunes in some very important ways.
So where does the industry stand right now? Continue reading at HotelNewsNow.com.
