However, some hotel industry figures are
uneasy. One statement sent to HT and
other trade media from a ‘Concerned
Hotelier’ read:
As a longstanding figure in the hospitality
industry, my concerns (and concerns that
many of my peers have also raised)
are twofold:
1. The AA currently run the only
competing scheme in the
industry, therefore it appears
that VisitEngland has created
a market monopoly as the AA
will operate both schemes
with no third choice available
in the market. It is also worth
noting that I have submitted a concern
to the Competition & Markets Authority
and have received a response that
they are investigating it as a potential
monopoly.
2. There has to date been no
communication with members; no
assessment of our thoughts and wishes
and no confirmation of the process.
My key concern is that if I wanted to
be with the AA, I would already be
with the AA, and there has been zero
communication with regards to how
the AA will meet DPA (and next year
GDPR) regulations with regards to my
data. How do they plan to keep the
two schemes separate, maintain data
integrity and ensure that my data is
not used for commercial gain as they
are a commercial company?
hospitalitytoday.com
| 11
Hopefully you can see
the potential scandal
that is set to be released in the industry.
VE say that “the strength of the AA bid lay
in not only their commitment to maintaining
standards and meeting the expectations of
schemes’ participants, but also in matching
our ambitions to develop the schemes further
and bring additional value to participants
and consumers. We are pleased
that the existing assessor team
has transferred to the AA. This
will provide continuity of service
in future assessments.”
The VisitEngland Assessment
Services team anticipate sending
out renewal notices to all scheme
participants within the next few weeks.
In the meantime, VE say any queries
regarding the VisitEngland schemes
should be sent by email to:
[email protected]
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