MP calls for compulsory registration

An MP and prominent lobbyist for hospitality said the only way to stamp out "cowboy" operators was to make classification of all accommodation providers compulsory.

John Thurso, a liberal democrat MP and former managing director of health resort Champneys said: "Under the current system of voluntary registration, 50% of accommodation providers are not registered anywhere. This means that the good guys are submitted to fiercer, harder, and more onerous checks by the tourist board, the AA or the RAC, while the bad guys just carry on ripping off the public. Until you have a level playing field you are never going to touch these people. A tourist booking over the internet will probably have no idea if a given establishment is registered or not. If everyone was in the same guide, the differences would be obvious."

The English Tourism Council (ETC) who inspects and accredits businesses said it was against Thurso's proposal and wanted to give its existing inspection system, which was harmonised with the AA, and RAC two years ago, further time to establish itself.

The ETC is also looking into a third option called a "fit for purpose" inspection by local authorities that would combine health & safety, fire regulations, and quality checks all into one inspection for hotels and guest houses. It believes this will root out operators who are unfit to trade.

Business manager of AA Hotel Services Albert Hampsen backed Thurso's proposal in theory, so long as there was no monopoly of who carried out the inspections.

He questioned whether it would be possible to acheive the proposal and if the Government had the courage or will to close businesses down which did not get a rating.

by Ben Walker