Staff members from the hospitality sector filled Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting in Orange County to highlight their concerns about so-called abusive resort charges.
“When we fight, we win. When we fight, we win,” chanted members of the Local Unite Here union before the gathering in Downtown Orlando.
The employees stated that their objective was straightforward: they aimed to highlight the fees and their impact on the tourism sector.
“We are here because hotel companies in Orlando continue to claim they lack the funds necessary for raises, healthcare, and the contracts we require,” stated Ella Wood from Unite Here. “But should we trust their claims? Absolutely not!” she added emphatically.
The resort fees being criticized are charged to guests who reserve rooms at specific hotels in Central Florida. “It’s clear that numerous hotels, such as the Buena Vista Palace, generate substantial profits from these resort fees,” according to Wood.
Hotels impose these charges to cover maintenance expenses and fund facilities such as swimming pools, Wi-Fi, and fitness centers. Although adding these costs isn’t against the law, union representatives argue that the fees have become excessive.
Orlando’s resort fees generate millions annually despite providing amenities that guests assume are included in their room rates, such as Wi-Fi or bottled water,” stated Kany Motte, an analyst with Unite Here. However, these fees do not include numerous necessities that visitors require, like parking.
According to the union, the average occupancy of Orlando hotels is about 77%.
That means, based on their calculations, that hotels like the Hilton Buena Vista Palace could make about 10 million dollars every year just in resort fees.
“While hotels charge resort fees on top of room rates, I make 10 dollars and 18 cents an hour, said Dale Johnson, who’s a hospitality worker in Lake Buena Vista and claimed he has not received a pay raise in five years. “We serve our guests and make their dreams possible. While hotel companies are padding their bottom lines, refusing to raise our pay.”
Union leaders also announced a new platform where they are sharing exactly how much you’ll pay in resort fees depending on the hotel you choose.
Orlandoresortfeeripoff.org
was created by Local Unite Here to raise awareness about the extra fees. “When hotels are making millions in arbitrary fees and guests are still being charged 35 dollars for parking, hotels are risking making lasting damage to Orlando’s reputation as the country’s premier tourism destination, with severe economic consequences,” Mote said.
Channel 9 has reached out to Hilton Hotels for comment, but has not heard back.
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