Blumenthal cites hotelier as shutdown victim
Democrat U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal highlighted in a Senate floor speech the negative impact of the government shutdown on Connecticut-based Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
The company has already suffered loss of business due to the reduced number of federal employees and contractors who stay at the company”™s hotels and resorts on business-related travel, according to Blumenthal. He said Starwood expressed fears that the threat of economic instability will deter Americans”™ future business and leisure travel plans.
“I’ve heard this morning from staff and employees of the Starwood Hotels based in Stamford, Connecticut, who have written to Members of Congress like myself ”“ and I”™m their senator so naturally they’ve written to me ”“ about the effect they see to their company and others like theirs in this industry, hotel and tourism, is vital to the state of Connecticut.
On the Senate floor, Blumenthal quoted a letter from Amy Kilbury, associate director, I.T. finance, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, saying, “”˜The current impasse now in its third week is having a negative impact both on the economy in general and specifically on the travel and tourism industry, which depends on the confidence of business and individuals on the future stability of the economy. The shutdown is having ripple effects as federal agencies have reduced their operations, so have private government contractors and in turn, this is affecting both leisure and business travel.”™”
Citing a hotel trade chief, Katherine Lugar, C.E.O. of the Lodging and Hotel Association of which Starwood is a member, Blumenthal quoted, “”˜The administration, House of Representatives and Senate need to act swiftly in the best interests of the entire nation and end this shutdown.”™”
“These issues are real and tangible,” Blumenthal said. “The harm is now and urgent. And I urge my colleagues to come together and resist the pressures and demonstrate the kinds of profiles in courage that we’ve seen on both sides of the aisle, standing strong, speaking out, resisting partisanship, coming together for the good of the country.”