Travel companies furlough, lay off hundreds with St. Louis feeling some impact

Hilton, the Virginia-based hotel company, will extend furloughs for 31 employees at its downtown Embassy Suites location at 610 N. 7th Street beyond the original six months they were promised.

American Queen Steamboat Company, a river cruise company headquartered in New Albany, Indiana, but operating across the country, including in St. Louis, plans to layoff 250 employees effective beginning Sept. 24.

And Carlson Wagonlit Travel, or CWT, a Minnesota-based travel management company, will extend furloughs for 56 employees at its Maryland Heights office beyond the original six months.

All three companies cited difficulties due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in their notices.

"The impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, the travel industry, and business travel has been unprecedented in its severity and duration, and the pace of recovery remains uncertain," said a CWT spokesman.