Hospitality law can be defined as the legal and social practice relating to the treatment of people who visit an establishment. Hospitality laws can be applied in a variety of contexts, the most common being the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry includes restaurants, lodging, event planning, travel and tourism. Restaurants and other catering establishments are the establishments most linked to the hospitality law.
Formally, hospitality laws require that public establishments comply with guidelines designed to protect guests and customers. Hospitality laws often take the form of establishment regulations, but they are still related to the protection of guests and customers against unfair practices. A practical knowledge of the laws that govern the hospitality industry is not just good additional knowledge. Employees, managers, and other staff members should know enough about the various hospitality laws or innkeeper laws, as they are sometimes called in state law, to avoid breaking them.
This applies to hotels and other places of accommodation, restaurants and also to bars, country clubs, spas, convention facilities and any other place that serves food or offers places to stay overnight. Failure to comply with local, state, and federal laws can result in fines, lawsuits, and negative publicity, all of which can be disastrous for a hospitality company. Hospitality law is important for several reasons, including protecting guests and employees against common violations, such as health problems and harassment, and ensuring that the hospitality industry develops strategies to provide better service.
