In addition to widely advertising their white-sand beaches to travelers skittish about the effects of the BP oil spill, hotels are easing cancellation policies and offering guarantees to lure guests.
“It’s frustrating to get the word out that the beaches are fine,” says Park Brady, CEO of ResortQuest International, one of the largest operators of vacation rental companies on the coast.
ResortQuest, which typically charges a 15% deposit and full payment shortly before arrival, is issuing full refunds if customers can’t use the beach. “It eased a lot of fears,” Brady says.
Best Western Fort Walton Beachfront in Florida is waiving its typical one-night charge for cancellations made within 48 hours of arrival if “there’s an oil event,” owner Bruce McAlpin says.
“If it’s oil-related, we’d be happy to cancel,” he says. “We have to do that to appease customers. ”
Big hotel companies are doing it, too:
•InterContinental Hotels says its participating hotels will issue a full refund for prepaid reservations if the beaches or water are deemed inaccessible by local officials. It will also waive early departure charges if guests check out because of “a negative impact by the oil spill.”
FULL STORY: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2010-07-13-oilspilltourism13_ST_N.htm
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