IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, has urged the Senate to include the attractions industry in its emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) relief legislation.
IAAPA has announced that Hal McEvoy, CEO & President, has written to all US Senators in order to request that the attractions industry is part of the COVID-19 relief legislation. The association has been monitoring the situation carefully, providing resources and advocating on behalf of its members throughout the crisis.
COVID-19 relief
The letter, which was sent to all 100 Senators, outlines requests from the attractions industry as follows:
- Provide $250 billion of immediate liquidity to maintain employment at travel-dependent businesses such as attractions through a Travel Workforce Stabilization Fund.
- Provide an Emergency liquidity facility to stabilize the industry.
- Tax relief – Allow businesses experiencing coronavirus-related financial distress to defer tax liability.
- Other critical provisions to protect employees and businesses.
“Due to the severity of the health crisis associated with COVID-19, the attractions industry, along with the rest of the travel industry, has experienced a virtual shut down,” said McEvoy in the letter. “The attractions industry will experience a loss of more than 400,000 jobs and $11.7 billion in revenue, assuming recovery begins in July, which is by no means certain.
“Once the crisis is over, attractions need to be ready to once again be the economic engine in the communities in which they are located. Immediate Congressional action is needed to protect attractions industry workers and businesses, who through no fault of their own, are experiencing extreme financial distress.”
IAAPA recently announced that it is postponing IAAPA Expo Asia, which was due to take place at the Venetian in Macao, China, from 8 – 11 June. It will now take place in 2021. The association also has a wide range of COVID-19 resources for members on its website. Members in need of immediate assistance should contact their regional office or email IAAPA.
