The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) has issued a statement in support of Indian American hoteliers following comments made by Palm Bay City Councilman Chandler Langevin regarding Indian Americans in the state.
Carol Dover, President & CEO of FRLA, addressed the situation by stating: “Recent comments targeting Indian Americans do not reflect the values of our industry or our state. Indian American hoteliers are not only part of Florida’s hospitality story – they are vital to its success, owning and operating nearly 65% of all Florida hotels. Their investment, hard work, and leadership support nearly 460,000 jobs and strengthen communities across our state. We stand united in celebrating their contributions and in rejecting division. Florida’s future is built on respect, opportunity, and shared prosperity.”
The association represents over 10,000 members from various sectors within the hospitality industry including independent hoteliers, restaurateurs, major franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The organization focuses on legislative advocacy to protect member interests as well as regulatory compliance and food safety training through Safe Staff and its subsidiary RCS Training. Additionally, the FRLA Educational Foundation offers high school programs designed to build careers within the hospitality sector.
Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association before merging with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006, FRLA supports an industry that contributes almost $112 billion annually to Florida’s economy and employs close to two million people.
