SC Hospitality Association members and staff are deeply concerned for Tom Sponseller’s whereabouts. He was last seen in the association office at noon on Saturday February 18, 2012. The Columbia Police Department has launched a full investigation and we are working with them. Tom has served as President and CEO of the South Carolina Hospitality Association for nearly 22 years. He is a prominent hospitality industry leader here in our state as well as nationally. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family and friends.
The family has created a facebook page to help find Tom and provide information. Facebook Page
If anyone has any information please contact Midlands Crime Stoppers at (888) CRIME-SC or the Columbia Police Department at (803) 545-3500. We will update the statement as more information comes available.
Recently debate has been stirring in Columbia about the current recommendations on a major change in the South Carolina government structure, often referred to as the “Administration Bill.” This effort, supported by Gov. Nikki Haley, would make a number of changes that ultimately give more power/control to the executive branch.
One of the provisions in the governor's Administration Bill would essentially eliminate the SCDOT commission and transfer the power to decide funding priorities for roads/highways/bridges/etc. to the governor's office. So why should the Grand Strand and the hospitality industry be concerned? Historically the Grand Strand and Pee Dee regions have collectively been left holding the bag when it comes to current and future infrastructure needs while other areas of the state continue to bask in building, updating and upgrading their overall infrastructure at the expense of our community.
The future of Hospitality and Tourism, the lifeblood of our community and the number one industry in the state of South Carolina, depends on growing our infrastructure while bringing new dollars into our collective community through new visitors to the area. We need, and frankly must have, I-73 and other infrastructure investments in our region to enhance our tourism base, diversify our economy and open up sectors of economic development and job growth.
While we appreciate the current administration and the Legislatures’ effort to look at more effective management of state government, the current plan to eliminate the SCDOT commission and all of its hard work would make the infrastructure plan for our state largely a political football that could shift-and-change at the whim of any administration. At best, our state’s infrastructure long-term plan would last no more than the 4-year term of any future governor.
Whether or not you agree with giving the governor's office more power is one thing, but eliminating the SCDOT commission without a viable plan to advance South Carolina’s transportation infrastructure needs would severely impede the future growth of the $6.5 billion dollar Grand Strand tourism economy. A great example of what could come if the commission is eliminated is a separate bill that has already passed a House committee that would require every DOT expenditure of $20 million or more to pass the House. This would start a trend that would make transportation funding far more political than it currently is today. That's bad news for areas like the Grand Strand where we will always be challenged to amass the votes we need to make our needs Columbia’s priorities.
We sincerely appreciate the recognition by the administration and our legislators’ that tourism growth is a key reason the future economic prosperity of South Carolina looks bright. Let’s not take a step back and risk all of our futures by politicizing our infrastructure needs.
In January 2011, the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the South Carolina Department of Revenue's position that online travel companies were responsible for the sales tax on accommodations at the retail price charged to consumers. The case, Travelscape LLC v. South Carolina Department of Revenue, 705 SE 2d 28, determined that the OTC practice of paying sales and accommodations taxes on the wholesale price the OTCs paid South Carolina hotel properties was illegal giving them a significant profit advantage over South Carolina lodging providers.
Online travel agencies were only paying taxes on wholesale hotel rates, not what the customer pays. The online company kept the difference as a "service fee." Rather than offset the state and local government's revenue shortfall, this extra money was going into the online travel agency's pocket taking essential dollars needed for infrastructure, local parks, and education away from the state.
Recently the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association has heard from our local community on a similar issue that is negatively affecting our industry and that is the proliferation of vacation rentals by owner. This issue, growing dramatically with the surge of online sites such as VRBO and HomeAway, is creating a similar environment of lost tax and business license revenues presenting an unfair competitive advantage to companies and individuals who are following the letter of the law.
State law requires every person who receives compensation for lodging accommodations to collect and remit all applicable taxes. The law states individuals renting their homes/condos in a commercial setting are supposed to have a business license and remit the state and local accommodation taxes. We recognize that a majority of businesses and local owners are paying their fair share but many others are not. Current enforcement of the law by the state and local municipalities can vary drastically and needed taxes to fund important public services, such as education and law enforcement, are falling through the cracks. Not only are needed tax dollars being lost but it is creating an unfair disadvantage to properties following the law as the same accommodations can be rented for less as taxes are not being remitted.
As one of our 2012 legislative priorities, the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association on behalf of the hospitality industry is calling on all local and state agencies to enforce current laws by collecting all appropriate licenses and taxes from individuals or businesses who rent property commercially for more than 30 nights in a given calendar year.
Tourism works for each of us every day and provides needed revenues to state and local coffers. As the watchdog for the hospitality industry we feel everyone from online travel agencies to individuals should follow the law and pay their fair share.
After months of pressure from AH&LA, the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday issued a burdensome interpretation of when and how lifts need to be installed at swimming pools under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
AH&LA has participated in the regulation process at every stage over the past few years since the regulations were first released in 2008. AH&LA hired an ADA counsel, an economic consultant, and formed six subcommittees of its membership to review various proposals, filed multiple written comments, testified at hearings, and met with numerous governmental agencies and officials. The association did not get everything that they wanted, but got a lot of items that would have been detrimental to the lodging industry eliminated from the new ADA regulations. This cost the association and its subsidiaries around $250,000, not counting staff time and expenses.
AH&LA is greatly disappointed at this interpretation, which will cost the lodging industry additional millions in compliance obligations and comes less than two months before the March 15 compliance date.
What really aggravates the association with the ruling, is that AH&LA is scheduled to meet February 8 with the DOJ on this issue with some hoteliers. The meeting is still on. In addition to AH&LA legal counsel researching the next course of action with DOJ, AH&LA is forming a coalition to have a broader base for grassroots, lobbying and financial support. The association won’t give up, but keep on fighting as they have with card check or OTAs. The association will need the support of its members supporting their initiatives to overturn this issue.
Although the DOJ did not specifically address spas, the principles set forth in the DOJ guidance could apply to spas as well.
Below is a brief summary of the DOJ’s policy on pool lifts.
What you need to know
Lifts need to be available and in position at each pool at all times when a pool is open to the public.
Only “fixed” lifts are acceptable, unless a hotel can demonstrate that installing such a lift is not readily achievable**.
For pools owned by state and local governments, sharing lifts between two pools is not allowed, unless the entity can show an “undue burden.”
Lifts cannot be shared between a pool and a spa.
Pool lift batteries must be fully charged and ready for use at all times the pool is open.
** If it is not readily achievable to have a fixed lift, then a portable one can be used if it meets the 2010 Standards requirements and the lift is securely in place during all operating hours.
In discussing the factors to be considered in the highly-fact dependant “readily achievable” analysis, DOJ failed to recognize “legitimate safety requirements” as a factor, even though it is in its own regulations.
Resources
Visit our Website for Webinars, advisories, articles, educational material, and other tools.
For additional information, contact Kevin Maher at kmaher@ahla.com or (202) 289-3147.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has allowed small businesses to claim the Disabled Access Credit if they incur expenses to accommodate disabled guests by making architectural adaptations and purchasing equipment – including ADA-compliant pool lifts. Small businesses may claim the credit if they meet one of the following criteria:
• Had revenues equaling less than $1,000,000 for the previous tax year; or • Have thirty (30) or fewer full-time employees.
Please note that the credit only applies to architectural adaptations and equipment purchases for existing facilities. Please contact your accountant or qualified tax preparer for information on how to take advantage of this benefit.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association will hold its 2011 Annual Meeting Brought to you by HTC on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel. The event is open to the public. Cost: $10 per person MBAHA member (breakfast included) and $20 non-members. Businesses can become a reserved table sponsor by purchasing 10 registrations.
This year the keynote speaker is Bill Hardman, president and CEO for the Southeast Tourism Society. As president and chief executive officer of Southeast Tourism Society, Mr. Hardman directs the organization\'s promotion of travel to the 12 Southeastern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. STS promotes the Southeast through cooperative marketing efforts, provides continuing education programs for its members and represents the legislative interests of the tourism industry.
The annual Hospitality Industry Awards will be presented to recognize outstanding achievements by hospitality leaders and businesses. The awards honor business efforts that reflect the mission of the MBAHA, which is to represent, educate, and promote the best in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. The winners for Hotelier of the Year, Restaurateur of the Year, Front Line Employee of the Year, Heart of the House Employee of the Year and Hospitality Services Member of the Year will be presented. Winners will be submitted to the Stars of the Industry Awards presented by the South Carolina Hospitality Association.
The Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association also will present updates and recap its accomplishments for the 2010-2011 year.
The annual meeting is presented through the generous support of HTC, the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel and Johnson Controls. For more information or to register, visit www.MBHospitality.org or call (843) 626-9668.
The Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association is the voice of the Hospitality Industry and a tourism advocate, whose role is to promote the industry’s needs, ensure a healthy tourism economy, and educate our membership and the public about industry issues.
