Hotel Executives ask Congress to tone it down

Hotel Executives Ask Congress to Tone Down Business Travel Rhetoric
Feb 27, 2009 - Source: Orlando Business Journal

Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels, along with hotel executives from nine other hotel companies, has sent a letter to Congress asking them to put a lid on their criticism of business travel. The letter states, "We understand the economic pressures that have caused many companies to reduce business travel as part of broader cost-cutting measures. However, we are concerned that legitimate meetings, business events, and recognition travel are now being portrayed as perks and symbols of excess."

The note also discusses potential job losses in the travel industry. Department of Labor statistics indicate that 200,000 travel-related jobs were lost last year; another 247,000 could disappear in 2009. "That number may grow if the rhetoric is not toned down," the hotel executives wrote. "This is a time when we should be looking to create and support jobs, not destroy them. A robust travel industry is a powerful economic stimulus."