In a recent interview with FOX4 (WFTX-TV) Chief Investigator Ryan Kruger, AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel raised awareness about the ongoing insurance struggles faced by hotel owners in Southwest Florida. Many hotel businesses are caught in a waiting game, anticipating insurance payouts that may take a year or even longer to materialize. Patel highlighted the dilemma faced by some hoteliers who, unable to sustain the financial strain, contemplate shutting their doors until the insurance funds arrive.

“People forget after about a year. And that’s what’s happening,” said Patel. “Some hotels are waiting on the insurance payout, so they say they’re just gonna shut their doors and wait for the payout. But that could take a year or two.”

This past summer, a report from Lee County showed the majority of hotel rooms on the barrier islands were yet to open. According to a study from Oxford Economics, commissioned by the AAHOA, Florida hotels bring in nearly $34 billion in economic impact to the state.

Read more and watch the video here.