What
More than 30,000 hotel rooms spanning 300 properties in Los Angeles have volunteered to temporarily shelter those on the front lines of the pandemic, in addition to segments of the population that are most at-risk to contracting the coronavirus, according to the Hotel Association of Los Angeles.
Why It Matters
An estimated 15,000 hotel employees are out of work in Los Angeles, with at least 157 properties suspending operations. While the city’s hospitality industry is facing devastating losses due to the COVID-19 crisis, it has nevertheless stepped up to the plate. The LA hospitality industry is proof of the adage “we’re all in this together” — further reflected by the fact that these 30,000 rooms are double the county’s request for 15,000. Specifically, 4,000 of these rooms — including 400 at a large downtown hotel — are under contract to protect and quarantine groups who are at an increased risk of contracting the virus. Other hotels (in Los Angeles and beyond) should join the fight if financially able.
Fast Facts
- The more than 300 hotels sheltering Los Angeles’ COVID-19 response have volunteered their space to the LA County Department of Public Health.
- In addition to the 4,000 rooms under contract to protect and isolate vulnerable population segments, an additional 2,500 rooms are working through the contracting process.
- The Hotel Association of Los Angeles continues to urge the local hotel community to respond to the health crisis.
- Hospitality is Los Angeles’ No. 1 industry.
What They Are Saying
"LA hotels have stepped up across the board in unprecedented ways to support our LA community during this crisis," said Heather Rozman, executive director of the Hotel Association of Los Angeles. "As various levels of government and supporting agencies are finally working together, the contracting process to get rooms online and housing to vulnerable people is speeding up. We are doing everything we can to ensure the well-being of the LA community now, while preparing for a recovery that provides so many economic benefits for our city."
The Details
Hotel Association of Los Angeles
www.hotelassociationla.com
Read more from TravelAge West about the COVID-19 outbreak.
