Hospitality industry slammed by pandemic
The nation’s hospitality industry — hotels, restaurants, attractions and events — has sustained massive losses in the past two months.
A new report from the U.S. Travel Association says the industry has lost more than $157 billion in business since March, when compared with 2019.
The week that ended May 9 alone saw a $19 billion loss, the report said.
In Kentucky, it said, revenue for the travel industry was down $172 million for that week alone.
“Visit Owensboro has not been immune to COVID-19,” Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said recently.
“With the government-mandated business closings and lockdowns in place, the next 60 days are not looking much better as we are estimating a 60% occupancy decline in May and June,” he said. “These are not just numbers. They represent losses to real people in Daviess County who are suffering and negatively affected across a broad spectrum of businesses.”