Harvey may wash away Houston hotels' revenue

Seattle

HOUSTON'S hotel market, already the worst-performing in the United States, is poised to take a further beating from Hurricane Harvey as the natural disaster creates chaos in a city that's been reeling from low oil prices for the past three years.

Some area hotels are offering discounts to alleviate the temporary housing emergency, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Friday suspended the state and local hotel and motel occupancy tax for relief-effort personnel and storm victims. The suspension will last 14 days, according to the governor's website.

The area's hotels may be filled at first by first responders, Federal Emergency Management Agency workers, insurance…