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
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