February 18, 2011 — “While we are encouraged that some of our members have been paid through the GCCF, there are many of Florida’s hoteliers and restaurateurs who have yet to receive economic recovery dollars, or have received compensation in amounts much lower than requested.
“The Florida and Restaurant Lodging Association will be reviewing the ‘Methodology for Future Claims’ document that is to be made public by Ken Feinberg today in the hopes it takes into consideration the unknown – the long-term impact of future tourism and hospitality losses in the months and years ahead.
“Florida tourism represents a $57 billion industry, 20% of Florida’s economy, $3.4 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than 900,000 employees, making it Florida’s largest employer. It is critical the hospitality industry is protected by filing an oil spill claim to recoup lost wages and income. This is no different than filing an insurance claim if one is impacted by a hurricane or fire and suffered economic damages.
“FRLA is working with the law firms of Weitz & Luxenberg, Levin Papantonio and Cooney & Conway to provide the hospitality industry with free legal assistance in securing economic recovery dollars. Millions have been lost in hospitality and tourism dollars due to the oil spill and the perception of oil washing ashore Florida’s beaches and coastline.
“We urge FRLA members, and non-members, who need assistance in filing the required claims payment documentation or who have yet to receive any compensation from the GCCF, to go to our website at www.FRLA.org and click on the ‘FRLA Oil Spill Claims’ icon to reach out to our legal team today.”
FRLA Oil Spill Claims Information:
http://frla.org/oil-spill-updates/item/430-frla-oil-spill-claims
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About Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA)
FRLA’s mission is to Protect, Educate and Promote Florida’s hospitality industry – which represents a $57 billion industry, 20% of Florida’s economy, $3.4 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than 900,000 employees, making it Florida’s largest employer. In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill that has devastated areas of Northwest Florida, FRLA has led the charge in representing the industry through marketing, communications, tourism briefings, claims procedures, and paid advertisements to let the world know that Florida is Open for Business. FRLA is among the most influential trade associations in Florida, counting among its 10,000 members some of the largest businesses across the state in lodging establishments, restaurants, and thousands of suppliers to the industry. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org.