A historic Chapel Hill staple is taking significant measures amid an economic downturn for the hospitality industry.

As reported by the Durham Herald Sun, the Carolina Inn laid off more than 217 employees starting Saturday. The outlet reports the hotel’s management recently filed a notice with the North Carolina Department of Commerce with the update.

According to the article, some Carolina Inn employees were furloughed in early April. But this latest wave for employees eliminates a majority of the hotel’s current staff as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the country.

General Manager Mark Sherburne said in statement to Chapelboro the hotel made the “difficult decision to implement extended furloughs for the majority of our colleagues.” He said the move was made in response to the unprecedented decline in travel demand and its management’s hope that all furloughs will be temporary.

“These painful decisions were necessary to preserve the hotel’s business so that we can emerge from this crises intact,” Sherburne wrote, “and ultimately be in a position to rebuild both our business and our world-class team when the hospitality industry rebounds.”

The Carolina Inn is operated by the hotel chain Hyatt, according to its website, which had more than 100,000 employees in 2019. It first opened in Chapel Hill in 1924. Sherburne said the hotel is currently open to guests and the community.

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