Cautious optimism might be the most accurate way to sum up a selection of hospitality and travel industry leaders' outlooks following the divisive 2016 election that saw Republican Donald Trump take the lead in electoral votes last Tuesday, stirring up a lot of controversy and conversation in the process.
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow released an official statement promptly after the election congratulating President-elect Trump on behalf of the U.S. Travel and tourism community.
“Mr. Trump demonstrated throughout his campaign that travel and infrastructure issues have his attention, and we stand ready to advise his administration on achieving his stated aims in these areas,” Dow said. “We are encouraged that Mr. Trump's extensive business and hospitality background—not to mention that travel accounts for 10 percent of all U.S. exports and creates jobs in every single congressional district—will make him a ready and receptive ear for our agenda.”
Dow went on to state that Trump’s promise to invest $500 billion in infrastructure reform and address the challenges facing our nation’s airports and aviation security system were promising stances. U.S. Travel also launched a new ad campaign targeting incoming lawmakers to Washington D.C.
Marriott President and CEO Arne Sorenson published an open letter to President-elect Trump on LinkedIn on Friday, November 11, which called for Trump to “break the cycle of retribution.”
“Too often, we have seen new leaders invest too much time and effort in getting even with their opponents through criticism and investigations,” Sorenson wrote. “If you're serious about bringing us together, consider simply letting Secretary Clinton ride off into the sunset with thanks for her public service, perhaps even with a pardon. By itself, this would be a unifying step, one that would set you up well to be the kind of leader that we need – focused entirely on the future, instead of the past.”
Sorenson went on to drive home the hospitality industry’s message of inclusivity, stating that, “The government has no business in our bedrooms—or our bathrooms. Everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or identity, has the right to live without interference in their private lives.”
He then listed infrastructure, immigration reform and tax reform as three key issues that should be addressed by the government moving forward, while challenging Trump to disprove his critics.
Meanwhile, the Orlando Business Journal reported on Walt Disney Co. CEO and Chairman Bob Iger’s suggestion that President-elect Trump could and should take action to help the nation’s businesses.
“We have been exhorting Washington, the executive and legislative branches to take a look at the current tax policies of the U.S.—particularly corporate tax rate,” Iger said during a Nov. 10 earnings call. “We are no longer competitive with the rest of the world in that regard and that must be addressed.”
Iger said Walt Disney World is already preparing a bust of Trump for its Hall of Presidents attraction.
While Dow, Sorenson and Iger remained optimistic in their statements, the response from other industry insiders on a global scale skewed toward uncertainty and concern, as documented by Skift.
