Just as the U.S. hotel industry begins to recover from the recession, industry leaders say they are being sabotaged by the Obama administration. The charge centers on a new rule proposed by Obama's Office of Government Ethics that would prohibit most federal employees from accepting free admission to conferences and other gatherings held by businesses or organizations that lobby the government.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association blasted the proposed rule, saying it would prevent federal employees from mingling with people to learn about trends and national issues, plus it would cut down on attendance to conventions, trade shows and other gatherings, mostly held in hotels.
Employees who violate the regulation could be demoted or fired. However, the rule would allow some exemptions, including events held by the media or nonprofit groups. The public has until Nov. 14 to comment on the rule by going to federalregister.gov/a/2011-23311.
