Thanks to the tireless work of AAHOA's Oklahoma members, Governor Mary Fallin signed the hotel tax repeal bill into law. Over the past two weeks alone, AAHOA members sent over a thousand letters, rallied at the state capitol, and engaged in countless meetings with state leaders.

If the tax passed, it could have made hotel rates in Oklahoma City and Tulsa among the highest in the nation, skyrocketing past those in Los Angeles, Chicago, and even New York City. Furthermore, the tax could have cost Oklahoma hoteliers dearly as conventions, sporting events, and tourists looked to neighboring states with more reasonable hotel rates. Ultimately, the potential loss of revenue would have made it difficult for hoteliers to expand their business, create jobs, and invest in Oklahoma – a truly losing proposition.

We want to thank our Oklahoma AAHOA members for taking action. We are proud of our members for standing up, using their voice, and repealing the tax. Together, we are making a difference.

May 15 - Southeast Texas Town Hall - Houston, Texas

May 22 - North Pacific Regional Meeting - San Jose, Calif. 
May 24 - South Pacific Regional Meeting - Anaheim, Calif. 

May 30 - AAHOA and OHLA Joint Spring Seminar and State Fire Marshal Training - Dayton, Ohio

May 31 - AAHOA and OHLA Joint Spring Seminar and State Fire Marshal Training - Akron, Ohio

A charity golf tournament  will be held on May 31 in conjunction with the Southwest-Albuquerque Regional Meeting. Proceeds from the event will go to support pediatric cancer research and the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.

AAHOA members are encouraged to register for the legislative action days and other events hosted in partnership between AAHOA and state lodging and travel associations in their local area. Consider signing up to help educate legislators about your business.

Overall U.S. RevPAR was down 2 percent last week compared to the same time last year, per STR. Demand for corporate travel early in the week decreased since the Easter holiday fell on a Sunday. Independent hotels were up 3.2 percent and mid-scale was up about 1.2 percent. For more, read the full report. Also, be sure to check out the Corporate Rate Negotiations report, the March 2018 RevPar report, the Calendar Shift RevPar Roadmap and the March 2018 Margin Monitor. The Calendar Shift RevPar Roadmap takes a deep dive into how RevPAR is estimated to be impacted by the changing dates of various holidays. The Margin Monitor focuses on hotel profitability trends and specifically for U.S. changes in labor costs.