The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has expressed support for the increase in lodging per diem rates for federal workers set for fiscal year 2027 by the General Services Administration (GSA). These per diem guidelines are crucial for reimbursing federal employees’ lodging and meal expenses during government travel.
Rosanna Maietta, CEO of AHLA, praised GSA’s decision, emphasizing the necessity of fair, market-based rates to support the hospitality sector and local economies. She noted that an increase in per diem rates is vital for sustaining hotels and generating community investments, pointing out that government travel is an essential economic driver.
Beginning October 1, the standard daily lodging allowance for most of the continental U.S. will rise by $3 to $113, while the meals and incidental expenses allowance will remain $68 per day.
The GSA sets these rates annually, typically based on lodging and meal averages from the previous year, adjusted downward by 5%. AHLA collaborates with GSA to ensure the per diem rates benefit both the hospitality industry and the government.
