Supranational to freeze rates and offer free consultancy
The soaring price of oil has prompted representation company Supranational to offer a package of support to hotels.
The global firm with more than 1,500 members in 75 countries wants urgent industry-wide action to help hoteliers cope with the energy crisis.
Managing director Niels Pedersen warned that the rising price of oil was squeezing hoteliers in two ways.
“It adds to the cost of heating and air-conditioning, and also makes their guests think twice about travelling long distances,” he said.
Four initiatives are being instigated by Supranational to tackle what it believes may well be a long-term problem:
*A call for governments around the world to reduce VAT on bedroom tariffs by a minimum of 4%. Hotels are being urged to work through their national associations to lobby for this.
*Travel agents booking Supranational will be invited to try to persuade leisure clients to stay longer – four nights or more – in order to reduce the relative cost of travel within a holiday.
*Supranational intends to freeze its membership fees for 2006, a saving to hotels of up to 5%.
*A free marketing consultancy service is being launched for members, offering advice on packaging, pricing, and promotion. It will be provided globally through the brand’s network of account managers.
Pedersen said: “Coming on top of the issue of terrorism, the leap in fuel charges is a serious threat to the hotel sector, and we should all be working together to help.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements