p26 hotels jan9 6/1/09 16:55 Page 26
Hotels & resorts
Rupert Murray
020 7921 8010
rmurray@ttglive.com
For the latest accommodation news, visit
ttglive.com/hotels
Sleuths dig dirt
in budget rooms
Public confused
AN UNDERCOVER investigation carried out by
Which? Holiday has discovered a trend of poor
about protection
cleanliness standards in budget hotels.
Stained duvets, mouldy mattresses and food
debris on the floor were some of the discoveries
made by the magazine during stays at 16
properties belonging to the UK’s five most
visited budget hotel chains.
Ibis was rated worst, while Comfort Inn and
Jurys Inn performed well.
Editor Lorna Cowan said: “This investigation
was just a snapshot but it does raise concerns.
“Paying guests should be guaranteed, at the
very least, a clean room. There doesn’t seem to
be one single accepted standard for hygiene in
UK hotels, and we would like to see this change.”
Rupert Murray.
on the level of protection they can receive.”
ALMOST half of UK holidaymakers are unaware The research also revealed that Brits do not
Downturn forces
that the Atol system is not relevant to accommo- plan significant cut-backs on holidays.
dation-only bookings, according to a new survey. When asked how many main holidays and
focus on guests
A survey by bed bank HotelConnect of 4,000 short breaks they had taken in the last two years
customers found that 46% believed the CAA-run and how many they intended taking in the next
licence covered them. two years, customers did not appear to have
HOTELIERS are being urged to reintroduce the It also showed that close to 70% believed planned changes in spending.
art of “real hotel keeping” to survive 2009. paying by credit card gives the highest level of Almost 40% of respondents said they had
Supranational Hotels managing director financial protection. This rated higher than Abta taken more than five short breaks in the last two
Niels Pederson believes a return to “guest-focus bonding or specific supplier failure insurance. years, and 36% intended to take more than five
strategies” could protect 25% of occupancy. Ian Ackland, HotelConnect commercial man- in the next two.
He said this meant a 100% focus on guests, ager, said: “Since we last talked to customers In terms of main holidays, 52% of respondents
with general managers being highly visible and about this issue we have had the XL failure, with said they had taken between one and three, and
staff being retrained. all the media attention that involved. 55% said they would be taking between one and
Pederson added: “At a time of make or break “Consumers are worried about financial three main holidays in 2009-10.
for businesses, the right approach from general protection but they are as confused as ever. Ackland said: “The message coming across
managers could limit the recessionary damage.” “It is the travel industry’s job to provide seems to be that people have no intention of
simple, reassuring clarification to the consumer altering their travel habits.”
Rock-bottom rates good news for agents
HOTELCONNECT claimed it had persuaded more “Many prices are as low if not lower than the four or five hotel booking sites before making a
than half of its hotel partners to reduce prices by beginning of 2001,” he added. “While rock- booking. The majority of respondents also said
between 30% and 50%. bottom rates may not be good news for hotels, they spend less than three days researching
The accommodation-only supplier said its this is certainly good news for agents and before deciding to book.
close working relationships with hoteliers had customers at this time of economic uncertainty. Ackland added: “Conversion rates show that
encouraged them to offer special discounts. “We’ll continue to hit hotels for the lowest our comprehensive but not ludicrously long list
Commercial manager Ian Ackland said he rates in the months ahead, giving agents the of hotels is the right way to go.
believed the desire to travel was still alive and tools they need to convert enquiries.” “Agents can tell customers that we have
kicking in the UK, but customers will be seeking The company’s recent survey of 4,000 sorted the wheat from the chaff and offer the
affordable, value-for-money accommodation. customers revealed that most people look at best combination of quality, location and price.”
26 09.01.2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80