The parent company of the Sheraton Premier Tysons Corner Hotel laid off 186 employees in early April. It reflects an industry-wide slump that is especially acute in Northern Virginia, where hotels were 32% full last October compared to 80% the year before, according to Eric Terry, president of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association.

Terry estimated 20 Virginia hotels closed on a temporary basis during the pandemic, and although most have since reopened, the outlook is bleak. More hotels may follow the Sheraton’s path.

“There’s no government or business travel happening, no corporate meetings or other meetings occurring,” according to Eric Terry, president of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association. “I think the winter months are going to be particularly difficult for our hotels, especially in Northern Virginia.”

Read the whole story by Daniella Cheslow in DCist by clicking here.