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Connecticut Hotels Shutter, Downsize In Coronavirus Wake

Manuela Jaeger from Pixabay

The hotel and lodging industry in Connecticut has been hit hard by the current coronavirus outbreak. Many hotels have closed or have downsized their operation.

Ginny Kozlowski is executive director of the Connecticut Lodging Association whose members make up 25% of the hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts in the state.

She says small business assistance loans offered by the state may help the hotel industry, but it’s not free money.

“That means they have to be paid back, and there’s a question of when these businesses will start to see revenue, and will they be able to pay them back, or is that just going to make this situation more challenging in the long term.” 

Large hotel operators like Hilton have already suspended operations in Connecticut at some of their hotels.

“Many of the hotels are running occupancy in the single digits. We were informed that the Stamford Hilton has closed the hotel, they have moved their guests to other hotels in Stamford and they have completely laid off their staff.” 

A call to the Stamford Hilton confirmed the 484-room hotel is closed until further notice.

Smaller Hilton Hotel operations like the 35-room Madison Beach Hotel on the Connecticut shoreline have also suspended operations due to the coronavirus.

Read the latest on WSHU’s coronavirus coveragehere

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