Events DC announced an $18 million hospitality and tourism relief package, which includes three million dollars for marketing, to address the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. According to a release, this relief package is designed to provide “emergency funding to help DC’s local hospitality and tourism industry that is in dire need of immediate support. The relief package, approved by Events DC’s Board of Directors, will provide support to restaurants, hotels and undocumented workers in Washington, DC.”
“The hospitality and tourism industry has been upended by the pandemic and Events DC plays an important role with the ability to provide aid and support to our local partners, the backbone of our city’s economy,” said Max Brown, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Events DC, which, states the release, is Washington DC’s official convention and sports authority.
“This $18 million relief package will provide a vital lifeline of support to our local economy, by helping to lay a strong foundation for the recovery and supplements what Mayor Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia have approved over the last several weeks. We’re all in this fight together and we remain dedicated to helping our city get back on its feet.”
The full relief package includes:
- $5 million for hospitality and restaurant recovery efforts, inclusive of both worker and operator relief;
- $5 million for hotels recovery efforts, including both worker and operator programs;
- $5 million for undocumented workers across Washington, DC; and
- $3 million dedicated to destination marketing efforts, with the focus first on bringing visitors back to DC
“As this unprecedented global health crisis is severely affecting all of us – our city, our hospitality industry and our residents, it is our duty to act responsibly and do what we can to support our industry,” said Greg O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “The goal of this $18 million relief fund is not only to help our local hospitality and tourism industry now, but will help fuel Washington, DC’s recovery. I am grateful for the resiliency of our industry and everyone’s willingness to support each other and stand in solidarity during these difficult times.”
According to Events DC, the hospitality and tourism industry is DC’s second largest industry, employing more than 80,000 people.
0 Comments