UK hotels deny profiteering
Hotels around Gatwick and Heathrow have been quick to distance themselves from claims of profiteering amid rumours that some properties increased room rates for stranded US travellers.
Within days of the New York terrorist attack and the grounding of all US flights, media reports accused some UK hoteliers of taking advantage of the situation by hiking prices.
But no properties were singled out and all hotels contacted by caterer.com and sister magazine Caterer & Hotelkeeper stressed that their rates had not changed.
The British Incoming Tour Operators' Association has vowed to come down hard on hotels guilty of taking advantage of the situation.
"We would jump on our hotel members very severely if there is any evidence of profiteering," said chief executive Richard Tobias.
"We have e-mailed members and asked accommodation providers to offer help and assistance to American visitors and support those accommodated without any additional cost."
Tobias said the reaction from members had been "excellent" and he added that there was no evidence of any hotels putting up their prices.
British Hospitality Association deputy chief executive Martin Couchman said he was aware of the reports, but did not know of any hotels involved.
The hotels contacted said guests who needed to extend their stays were charged the same rate, while new customers were offered the general rack rate. None of the hotels contacted were charging for cancellations resulting from the crisis.
"We are not putting up the rates. We are just looking to help as many people as we can," said Mary Casey, general manager of the Sheraton Skyline hotel at Heathrow.
Sales and marketing director for the Le Méridien London Gatwick, Alex Holmes, added: "Le Méridien policy is that we will not use this situation to our advantage."
Heathrow-based Best Western hotel, the Master Robert reduced its normal room rates, ranging from £99-£150, by up to 70% for existing guests and those sent by its airline customers.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>
