CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Recently, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion, co-sponsored the bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act. This legislation, first introduced by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), aims to improve transparency for consumers by requiring any entity advertising a hotel room or short-term rental to clearly show the final price a customer will pay to book lodging up front.

“The price a customer sees is the price they should pay,” Senator Capito said. “I was proud to co-sponsor the bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act because it will help West Virginians plan trips with less confusion. This bill will also make it easier for out-of-state visitors to see all that the Mountain State has to offer like the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and countless other attractions. Customers deserve to make financial decisions based on transparent pricing. I am proud to support this bill and encourage my colleagues to do the same.”


“The Hotel Fees Transparency Act is an important bill that will create a single standard for mandatory fee display across the entire lodging ecosystem – from hotels to online travel agencies, metasearch sites, and short-term rental platforms,” Chip Rogers, AHLA President & CEO, said. “We know consumers shop for travel across multiple sites, and this bill is a pivotal step toward creating a more transparent booking process for guests. We commend Senators Klobuchar, Moran, and Capito for their work on this issue and for recognizing the need to create a level playing field for all types of lodging providers and distributors. We look forward to working with the senators and their colleagues on Capitol Hill on this crucial topic.”

“We are grateful for Senator Capito’s strong and steady advocacy for West Virginia’s tourism industry,” Richie Heath, Executive Director of the WV Hospitality & Travel Association, said. “In Washington, Senator Capito continues to champion the issues that impact our hospitality and tourism businesses back home and her co-sponsorship of the Hotel Fees Transparency Act with help provide a level playing field for our lodging establishments. We thank Senator Capito for her leadership!”

The Hotel Fees Transparency Act is supported by the American Hotel and Lodging Association. 

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