[1] AAHOA provides service and support for hoteliers through its educational offerings, policy and political advocacy for the interests of hotel owners, opportunities for professional development, and community engagement.

Indian Americans in the hotel and motel industry early on faced discrimination, both from the insurance industry and from competitors placing "American owned" signs outside their properties to take business from them.

[4] Another group of Indian hoteliers was created in Atlanta in 1989 to address discrimination issues and increase awareness of Asian Americans working in the hospitality industry under the name Asian American Hotel Owners Association.

[4] In 1994, the organizations merged in order to work more efficiently to defend Asian hotel owners’ interests throughout the United States.

[4] In 2018, the AAHOA lobbied on behalf of legislation opposed by the disabled community because the law would decimate enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and opens the door to further attacks on civil rights laws.