US House of Representatives passes legislation to ensure transparency in hotel and lodging fees

The US House of Representatives has passed the No Hidden FEES Act, a major American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) legislative priority that aims to ensure lodging cost transparency for consumers. The legislation is designed to establish a comprehensive single standard for transparent and mandatory fee displays across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms, to online travel agencies, metasearch sites, and hotels. The bill, introduced by Reps. Young Kim, R-Calif., and Kathy Castor, D-Fla., was approved unanimously by the House Energy & Commerce Committee in December and passed in a bipartisan vote on the House floor 11 June. “It makes sense for all lodging businesses – from short-term rentals to online travel agencies, metasearch sites, and hotels – to tell guests up front about mandatory fees. That’s why AHLA has led efforts supporting federal legislation to establish a single and transparent standard for mandatory lodging fee displays and an even competitive playing field,” said AHLA interim president & CEO Kevin Carey (pictured). “Thanks to Reps. Kim and Castor, we’re one step closer to making this a reality. We will continue to work with Senators Klobuchar and Moran on passing their related legislation in the Senate, with the goal of establishing a uniform standard across the industry as law.” AHLA’s most recent data shows only 6% of hotels nationwide charge a mandatory resort/destination/amenity fee, at an average of $26 per night. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the US. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programmes. Learn more at www.ahla.com.