Hotel membership as well as allied membership has grown steadily resulting in an expanded dues base. Allied membership dues went up by 6.3% while hotel membership dues went up by approximately 6%.
Transparency in communication has been significantly enhanced. This includes timely delivery of financial reports and administrative memos. We are also excited to unveil by mid-2020 dramatically enhanced features to our website. These include a “Members Only Portal” for members to opt in or out of communications, a community message board, the ability to change and update profiles and be able to view all HANYC events on a single filterable calendar. Another resource will be a Jobs Bank for members to post jobs.
HANYC continues to spearhead the fight against illegal hotels and the platforms that enable them as the founding member of ReformBnB, an international coalition against the widespread illegality present on short-term-rental (STR) platforms.
HANYC’s voice and proposals have been heard and adopted in a number of countries from Spain to Argentina to Japan. The coalition hopes to achieve material success in Paris, France, the most important city for STR platforms at its next convention in May 2020 where it is expected that financial sanctions against STR platforms will be enhanced considerably.
All indications are that hotel industry revenue for 2020 will continue to face headwinds as happened in 2019. With HANYC’s recognition as the voice of the hotel industry among all stakeholders we expect to engage at multiple levels to lower operational and financial burdens our industry faces both at the City and State level.
Finally, I would also like to express our deep appreciation to Chair, Fred Grapstein, all members of the Board and Committee Chairs who gave so freely of their time and ideas.
If you have a matter or issue with either NYC or NYS, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!
Happy Holidays and New Year!