Small hotels benefit from staycations and Euro-visitors

Small owner-operated hotels have had a busy year – boosted by British travellers choosing to holiday at home and an increase in European visitors - according to a survey conducted by The Good Hotel Guide 2010.

Half of the 50 hotels questioned for the survey reported an excellent year, with a similar number saying they had a good year and only two seeing below average bookings. The average number of rooms of the hotels surveyed was 16.

However, many of the hotels said that bookings came in late and last-minute guests often wanted to negotiate a discount.  There was also a general trend of guests being careful with their money, spending less on drinks and spa treatments.

The Good Hotel Guide 2010, which is published today (Monday 5 October), also claims that millions of travellers are being deceived by bogus reviews on travel website, TripAdvisor by doing almost nothing to ensure that the reviews are genuine. 

“TripAdvisor is so open to collusive, malicious and fake reviews that it undermines its value as a source of information, say The Good Hotel Guide 2010 editors Adam Raphael and Desmond Balmer.

• The Good Hotel Guide 2010: Great Britain & Ireland is available in book shops, price £20, or direct from The Good Hotel Guide on 020 7602 4182 or www.goodhotelguide.com for £17.50.
  

The Government should show industry support, says Good Hotel Guide >>

TripAdvisor – true or false >>

‘Staycations’ bring bumper year to seaside resorts and small hotels >>

By Janet Harmer

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