May 7, 2020

Dear Members,

Earlier this week Governor Ducey announced additional modifications to the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected” order allowing barber shops and salons to begin operating with public health protections and CDC guidelines on May 8th and provided guidance for restaurants to offer dine-in service beginning May 11th.

During his update, Governor Ducey mentioned that he and his team are seeking guidance from the lodging and tourism industry on reopening additional amenities such as pools as well as developing industry standards to help increase consumer confidence.

Yesterday, AzLTA submitted recommendations to the Governor urging him to reopen resort pools on May 8th in time for Mother’s Day Weekend. We also provided the Governor safety and sanitation guidelines the American Hotel & Lodging Association developed in collaboration with partner state associations throughout the country including the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association. In addition, we provided general travel industry guidance developed by U.S. Travel, “Travel in the New Normal.”

During a call this afternoon with members of the business community, the Governor reiterated his desire to work with the legislature to provide COVID-19 liability protections to businesses.

Also, a special thank you to Congressman Schweikert for updating our Board of Directors on the latest news from D.C. and listening to our industry concerns. The Congressman urged our members to contact his office for any assistance.

Please do not hesitate to contact our team with questions.

Sincerely,

Kim Grace Sabow
President & CEO

FEDERAL UPDATE

The U.S. Senate has returned to work. Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives has not announced a return date. We continue to work with our national partners to help craft the next round of legislation responding to the Coronavirus.

The Treasury and SBA provided additional guidance to address borrower and lender questions concerning the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Of interest, question 40 in the updated FAQ provides clarification on employee rehiring and states that any employee who is offered a chance to return and does not do so, will not count against the forgiveness calculations. This article provides a helpful overview. SBA and Treasury intend to issue an interim final rule excluding laid-off employees whom the borrower offered to rehire from the CARES Act's loan forgiveness reduction calculation.

The DOL issued additional guidance regarding eligibility of furloughed employees to receive regular unemployment or enhanced pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) once their employer reopens for business and offers to rehire the employee.

ARIZONA UPDATE

AzLTA joined a coalition of business organizations urging the Arizona Legislature to adjourn Sine Die on Friday and reconvene at a later date to focus on COVID-19 public health and economic recovery related legislation. AzLTA continues to advocate for S.B. 1135, Tourism Marketing Authorities, since this revenue will be critical for industry recovery and is urging members of the legislature to address the issue during a special session.

Both chambers have announced they will reconvene tomorrow, the Senate announcing their plans to Sine Die, but there is uncertainty if the House has the support to Sine Die.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

There are still resources available in the Paycheck Protection Program to help businesses in financial need. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.

For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
The application for borrowers can be found HERE

SAFE STAY INITIATIVE

AHLA "Safe Stay" Initiative

"Safe Stay" is focused on enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19.

The standards of Safe Stay were developed under the guidance of an Advisory Council, comprised of industry leaders representing all segments of the hotel industry, and in conjunction with public health experts to advance best practices for protecting against the coronavirus.

VIEW ENHANCED SAFE STAY GUIDELINES

TRAVEL IN THE NEW NORMAL

U.S. Travel: Travel in the New Normal

U.S. Travel developed industry-wide health and safety guidance to ensure a consistent approach to safety that travelers can expect through all touchpoints in their journey, in the era of this new normal. This document follows an intense, collaborative effort between U.S. Travel, member organizations, other industry associations and medical experts to derive the guidance that all sectors of the travel industry can apply and each vertical segment can expand upon as necessary.

VIEW TRAVEL INDUSTRY GUIDANCE

NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK

National Travel and Tourism Week is here! This year, the industry will come together to celebrate the #SpiritOfTravel. U.S. Travel's toolkit includes several ways to get involved. Sign up here to join and learn more details.

CARES ACT READINESS PROGRAM

The Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Small Business Association and Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry have created the CARES Act Readiness Program for Small Businesses. This training program – which is offered at no cost– helps both novice and experienced borrowers successfully access relief funds.

Learn more at: http://caresactaz.com

HOSPITALITY FOR HOPE

The Hospitality for Hope initiative is gaining statewide and national attention. We have been able to connect health care facilities and hotels across the state.

The outpouring of support from Arizona hotels and resorts has been incredible and our team is communicating with state leaders and health care organizations about the options available.

Arizona Hotels interested in joining Hospitality for Hope can volunteer HERE.

IN THE NEWS

Arizona Tourism Industry Predicted to Take $2 Billion Hit in 1st Quarter

Phoenix Hotels Ask Lenders, Congress for Relief as Millions in Coronavirus Losses Mount

'These Are Significant Losses': Arizona's Travel, Tourism Industry Struggling to Cope with Virus Shutdown

Tourism Business Group Seeks Legal Shield from COVID-19 Lawsuits

MEMBER RESOURCES

AzLTA is committed to providing our members with up-to-date resources, webinars, information and recommendations from our state and national partners. Daily updates will be shared our website so please reference it often and share it with your network.

AzLTA Website

Arizona Business Resources

Arizona Help For Hospitality Workforce

Arizona Together

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan

SBA COVID-19 Resources

YOUR INDUSTRY. YOUR VOICE.

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