New York City Hotels Protest Bill to Mandate Licensing, Deter Subcontracting
Skift Take
The New York City Council bill has ignited a fierce debate between supporters who claim it will improve safety and working conditions and opponents who argue it could cripple the hotel industry.
Hundreds of hotel sector professionals rallied outside New York City Hall to oppose Intro 991, the so-called "Safe Hotels Act," which requires hotels to meet stricter regulations.
The act would prohibit hotels from operating without a new "hotel license." Hotels have to receive various permits to open, but the city doesn't license hotels like other cities, such as Boston and Chicago.
The bill has gained support from local unions because it includes provisions prohibiting hotels from using subcontractors for core functions such as housekeeping, front desk, and security.
Since being introduced in July, 34 out of 51 City Council members have co-sponsored the bill, a level of support that gives it the potential to pass.
Why It Matters The bill could significantly impact hotel operations, potentially affecting room rates and employment practices in the city, whose tourism sector may generate about $5 billion in tax revenue this year. The debate highlights tensions between labor unions, hotel owners, and city officials. Manhattan City Council Member Julie Menin, who introduced the bill, cited a 2021 homicide at a hotel where she said the city h