"Damage Already Done" Covid Christmas strikes again for hoteliers
Best Western GB Press Office: December 2021
The devastating quick impact on hospitality of the Omicron variant
has been revealed by BWH Hotel Group GB, with 72% of its independently owned
hotels reporting an increase in Christmas cancellations and 89% now concerned
about the festive trading period.
Tim Rumney, CEO of the 300 strong BWH Hotel Group GB, said
“We have had a week of mixed messages about whether people should
socialise or not, cancel parties or not and small, independent businesses like
our hotels are on the front line feeling the effects of that indecision. My
fear is the damage is already done, and this festive period will need to be
written off like last Christmas, which will be devastating for many small
businesses who were hoping for a strong end to 2021, after the last two years
of Covid interrupted trading.”
In addition, 70% of hotels have seen a decrease in bookings
since the announcement of the new variant with booking levels now hotels’
number one ranked concern going into 2022. Other
top ranked concerns amongst the independent hoteliers included attracting new
staff, supplier costs rising and increase VAT costs.
Tim Rumney added: “We need clarity from the top - not confusion
between what the Government is saying and what health chiefs are saying -
because these figures show the impact Omicron is already having on consumer
confidence. Businesses can’t plan properly; customers can’t plan
properly. The curse of Covid Christmas past has returned to haunt us
unfortunately.
“Next year, hospitality needs to be top of the priority list for the Government when it comes to support, an extension of reduction in VAT is vital to support small, independent businesses who once again are suffering, are struggling and worried about business levels, and need support to get through this pandemic.”
- ENDS -
Full survey results:
- Since the announcement of the new Covid variant Omicron 75.8% of hotels have seen cancellations increase.
- In this same time, 70.7% of hotels have seen new bookings decrease.
- 89.9% of hoteliers are more concerned for Christmas business now, than one month ago.
- 72.2% of hotels are seeing an increase in cancellations specifically for Christmas party bookings (including festive dining bookings).
- 68.9% of hotels are more concerned now looking ahead to Q1 2022 about business levels now we know about the new Covid variant.
- Top five concerns for 2022 for hoteliers are; volume of bookings, attracting new staff, supplier cost increases, VAT increases and retaining existing staff members.
About BWH Group
BWH Group is a brilliantly different collection of independent hotels proudly giving a personal welcome to guests for over 70 years. With 15 hotel brands in its group portfolio, including Best Western GB, WorldHotels and soft brand BW Premier Collection, and almost 300 distinctive hotels in Great Britain alone, there is more to explore with our brand family.
BWH Group is a retained-profit membership organisation that helps hotels maintain their independence. Committed to representing the views of its independently owned member hotels, we tackle key industry issues on their behalf, including the effects of Government policies and legislation, industry changes and environmental impact on the heartbeat of the Great British hospitality industry. Never has is been more important for this voice than throughout this time of uncertainty and unprecedented hardship for independent hoteliers.
To find out more visit Best Western GB's Media Centre: www.bestwestern.co.uk/company/best-western-media-centre