Chains worry about pricing

PRICING policies and competitive positioning will be key issues for hotel chains around the world over the next five years, according to a survey by the International Hotel Association.

The survey examined the perceptions and main concerns of 52 chief executives of international chains.

It revealed that the unpredictability of world economics was a major concern, as was the cost of keeping abreast of new technology.

But they underestimated the threat posed by expansion into domestic markets by foreign companies, according to the sur vey's director, Michael Olsen of Virginia Polytechnic.