Texarkana has been a traveling community and a haven to travelers, but in this time of reduced business and now city-mandated curfew, local hotels struggle to leave the light on.
The Ramada and Travelodge on North State Line is located next to Interstate 30, a major travel artery in the area and only growing more so with time as interstate highway plans continue to come together.
But reservations have fallen off sharply this month.
"Business has been very good, especially during spring break," said Ray Niehal, owner. "But when we got to that point in March, we saw a sharp drop in business. The drop continued with the 10 or less in any area advisory. With our location, we get lots of business off the highway, but the curfew has even made that more difficult with late-night check-ins. We've lost weddings, pool parties, birthdays, all canceled for now."
The Ramada and Travelodge have made adjustments to their services for this time. These include a continental breakfast served in a to-go bag and a closed fitness center.
"Our pool is still open, but subject to the 10-person limit," he said. "In addition, all front desk personnel and housekeeping have to wear gloves and masks," he said. "We also maintain social distancing, but otherwise focus on the best service we can. We gave full refunds to those who had occasions scheduled here. and had to deal with 70 percent cancellations when ll this started happening."
"Arkansas businesses have to hold out at least a month, based on what has been announced by Gov. Hutchinson. I'm worried about making it that long," he said. "Those of us in the hospitality business depend on our incoming business to contend with mortgage payments and paying our vendors. The longer we operate at this reduced level, the harder it will be to get back up. That's even assuming we make it. I'm asking policy makers to continue some kind of funding and support to help the hospitality industry get through this."
Ashley James, general manager of Residence Inn by Marriott on St. Michael Drive, said that her place being home to some longer term guests is helping them weather the storm. But they are feeling the drop-off in business and have had to make adjustments to it as well as the COVID-19 situation.
"We're doing OK. Residence has declined, right now at 40 percent. Occupancy dropped off with cancellations and decline last week," she said. "We are still getting travelers, but I've had to reduce my staff by about half. That especially hurt, as my staff tends to be folks who stay around a long time. We want them back after this is over."
In addition, Residence in by Marriott has shut down its top two floors, with guests relocating to lower floors.
"We also give a 48-hour pause before housekeeping goes in and cleans after a guest has left, to help protect them," she said. "We've also closed our fitness room and pool and stopped our Monday through Wednesday night socials. Also, no breakfast at this time, though we will shop for groceries for our guests, if they request."
According to Axios.com, "Some 45% of all hotel jobs have been eliminated or will be eliminated in the next few weeks," states the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
Current forecasts of a 30% drop in hotel occupancy over a full year would result in the loss of nearly 4 million hotel jobs, from general managers to housekeepers."
From Moody's cruise and hospitality analyst, Peter Trombetta, uschamber.com, ""The impact to hotel companies could be greater than after the 9/11 terrorist attacks when we saw people still wanted to travel but decided to stay closer to home," Trombetta said. "With the spread of COVID-19 and the CDC's advice to maintain social distancing, we could see fewer people want to travel overall."
The recently unanimously passed bill, a $2-trillion aid package, has hospitality industry aid within it. Next, it goes to the House, which is expected to address it Friday.