Web fosters late-bookings boom

Hotels are getting more last-minute bookings than ever before because of the Internet.

Hoteliers say that more people are turning to the Internet to book a bedroom rather than use a phone or fax. This has led to an increase in the number of last-minute and same-day bookings.

"There are certainly more last-minute bookings," said Mary Halliday, general manager of the Belgrave hotel in Blackpool.

Wendy Pulford, owner of the La Baia hotel in Scarborough, agreed. She said: "It's all last-minute bookings over the Internet. Younger guests in particular book on-line."

The Internet also brings hoteliers other benefits. "You can see more on a Web site than on an advert so we don't have to send out so many brochures or tell people directions so often," said Malcolm Taylor, general manager of the Tower hotel in Southend-on-sea, Essex.

According to hoteliers, the Internet also brings them extensive international publicity. "We receive a lot more enquiries from abroad now," said Karen McCallum, general manager of the Seacrest hotel in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear.

However, despite the Internet's advantages, some people still prefer to use more traditional booking methods. "Most of our bookings are still made by telephone," said John McKenzie, owner of West Cliff Towers in Bournemouth.