Gaming, tourism teams desirous to work with Biden administration

Associations representing gaming, travel, and hospitality stand ready to work with the new Biden administration to accelerate recovery.

Las Vegas is heavily dependent on all three industries facing economic challenges following the pandemic. On Wednesday, the leaders of the US Travel Association, the American Gaming Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Nevada Resort Association said they hope for progress in the recovery under the new administration.

“President Biden is very much aware of the economic problems the pandemic has caused our industry and its employees,” said Roger Dow, President and CEO of USTA. “It is within reach of bringing America back to pre-pandemic travel industry record growth through national strategies that will revitalize the American economy.”

US Travel Association, American Gaming Association

Before the pandemic, the travel industry supported all 10 jobs. Dow said USTA is ready to work with the new administration and Congress to rebuild industry and bring back millions of workers.

“We are encouraged that the administration is focused on providing additional direct assistance to companies in the hardest-hit industries,” he said.

Dow believes President Joe Biden’s affinity for Amtrak – nicknamed “Amtrak Joe” after making thousands of train journeys between Delaware and Washington DC as a Senator and Vice President – shows his desire to connect US cities and more Enable travel and tourism. He also pointed to Harris’ experience as a Senator from California, where she represented one of the largest state tourism industries in the country.

“(Harris) has seen firsthand the positive impact travel has had on local communities,” said Dow.

AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said he looks forward to working with the new administration and Congress to fuel the $ 261 billion recovery in the US casino industry.

“Gaming – an economic engine for communities in 44 states – has been decimated by COVID-19, but our industry has always been very responsive to adversity,” he said in a statement Wednesday. “Together with our new leaders in Washington, we can get millions of American hospitality workers back to work, reinvigorate our industry, support our small businesses, and bring much-needed revenue to our communities.”

American Hotel & Lodging Association

According to the Department of Employment, Education and Rehabilitation, Nevada had around 301,700 recreational and hospitality workers in November, a 14 percent decrease from the previous year.

AHLA President and CEO Chip Rogers said in a letter Wednesday that he is calling on Congress and the new administration to develop a longer-term stimulus package that will allow employees to get back to work and the hospitality industry to survive to secure.

“We continue to face historically low occupancy rates, massive job losses and record hotel closings,” said Rogers. “Our industry needs help to retain and recruit our people, revitalize our local communities and restart our economy.”

While the hospitality industry’s recovery looks promising with the introduction of vaccines, Rogers said it will take months for them to become widespread. Travel is not expected to return to 2019 levels until 2023.

“The hoteliers look forward to working with President Biden and his administration on other key priorities, including comprehensive immigration reform, tax reform and infrastructure investments,” he said. “AHLA will continue to drive the needs of hotel workers and our small business owners at this critical time for our industry and we are ready to support the new congress and administration.”

Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resort Association, said the advocacy group welcomed the opportunity to provide the new government with information about Nevada’s unique tourism economy. The association represents 76 gaming resorts across the state.

“We look forward to working with the Biden government and Congress on measures that will end the pandemic, restore travel and tourism, accelerate Nevada’s economic recovery, and help more Nevadans get back to work as soon as possible,” she said.

Contact Bailey Schulz at bschulz@reviewjournal.com. consequences @bailey_schulz on twitter.