Inflating Room Rates During Olympics May Damage Industry

22nd May 2008 (Last Updated May 22nd, 2008 10:02)

Increasing room rates in London during the 2012 Olympics could cause long-term damage to the hospitality industry. The British Hospitality Association (BHA) says overpricing will give the UK "a bad name", caterersearch reports. "We all know the huge dangers that are

Increasing room rates in London during the 2012 Olympics could cause long-term damage to the hospitality industry.

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) says overpricing will give the UK “a bad name”, caterersearch reports.

“We all know the huge dangers that are associated with overpricing – it deters people from coming and gives us as a country a bad name,” a spokesman says.

“We can’t stop it happening, we just have to be aware of it and to try to get the message across that in the long run it’s not a good idea.

“We need to keep prices steady so people think they are getting good value.”

Best Western Hotels CEO David Clarke says the government has “no idea” how to police hotel room rates during the event.

“Destiny is in our hands and I hope we do deliver the service people expect of the capital.

“I hope the charges to stay in London are not inflated because of the Olympics,” he says.

By staff writer

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